Morning Moments

This amazing FELLOWSHIP we share with Jesus is one like no other and yet the joy we derive from it enables us to share that same fellowship with one another, even with all the difference we have.

II. It is Built upon an Unusual Relationship

Think of all the relationships we have experienced in life: children, friends, students, courtship, and spousal, and business. All may be pleasant and productive BUT there is no other who can get inside us and change us from stem to stern making something beautiful of our life.

a. We Commune in Light

When we share the life of love we walk in light. Imagine walking down a long street in the darkest of night with no street lights whatsoever and no protection from the vilest of criminals. That is what life without Christ is like. But for us who know Him, He lights our lives by His Word, and warms our heart by His Spirit and protects us every moment.

1:5 And this is the message which we have heard from Him and announce to you*, that God is light [or, is as to His essence light], and in Him [there] is no darkness at all.

It doesn’t matter where we go, as long as we go with God! He alone is Light and there is not ever a shadow of turning with Him. Every step is a lighted one and every step is a loving one, so why should we fear anything? Rejection – NO! Harm – NO! Terrorists – NO! If God be for us who can be against us and He IS for us who walk in His light.

b. We Converse in Truth

One who will lie will steal and the enemy of our souls is a thief that lies, steals, kills, and destroys. He is the father of lies according to Jesus. BUT on the other hand, we who are of God must both speak and practice truth. If God cannot lie, and Satan is the father of lies, when we lie whose side are we on? If we say one thing and do another it is lying.

1:6 IF WE SAY, "We have fellowship with Him," and are walking about [fig., conducting ourselves] in the darkness, we are lying and are not doing the truth.

God cannot be fooled and neither can other people when it comes to this unique and unusual relationship we have with God Himself. Preaching is one thing but practicing is another thing entirely. We who are His are to walk in “partnership” with Him, staying as far away from darkness as we can and staying in the light of His life and love.

c. We Confess in Faith

Confession merely means to “say the same thing”. It is an expression of agreement, so that if the Bible says whatever is not of faith is sin and our actions and attitudes are not consistent with the “faith of the Son of God,” then we much change our mind and feeling regardless of how strongly they might resist. We do so…

1. So that we are not Defiled

1:7 But IF WE ARE WALKING about in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses [or, purges] us from all sin.

Don’t you feel better when you are clean? Of course, we all do. There is just nothing like a good shower or bath after a hard day to relax you and refresh you. There is nothing to compare with the cleansing the blood of Jesus Christ brings. It is a freedom from guilt, gloating, groaning, grieving, or whatever else we might impose upon ourselves. In the light is where the air is clean and the water is pure and the clouds disappear.

2. So that we are not Deceived

1:8 IF WE CLAIM, "We do not have sin," we lead ourselves astray [fig., deceive ourselves], and the truth is not in us.

I have seen dog races and one of the thing that amazes me is that the dogs are lead to believe that dumb rabbit they chase is real. They are deceived. Well, there is little worse than self deception. That is when you are lead to believe something that everybody else knows is not true. If we say we do not sin, everybody knows that just isn’t true, but if you believe it, you are self deceived. Light keeps us from that dark thinking.

3. So that we are not Distracted

1:9 IF WE ARE CONFESSING our sins, He is faithful [or, trustworthy] and righteous that He shall forgive us our sins and cleanse [or, purge] us from all unrighteousness.

You know, I can’t always expect people to forgive me. It doesn’t mater what you do or what others say, there are just some people who are unforgiving. BUT God is not one of them. He said if I agree with Him about my sin and His Son, my Savior He forgives. And when He forgives, He puts the sins behind His back, in the depths of the sea, and as far as east is from west. Get the point? They are GONE!

4. So that we are not Defiant

1:10 IF CLAIM, "We have not sinned," we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

Would you call God a liar? I would think that would be pretty stupid of any of us, but if we say we have not sinned when He and we and they know we have, it is like calling God a liar. Not only does He reject that defiance but other Christians should too. We want to skirt the issue. We want to make sin sound “not so bad after all.” But even the smallest of sins cost Jesus His Life, so why lie about it? Confess it! Forsake it! Continue the Light walk where it is safe and sweet and satisfying.