Reading: 1 John 1:5–2:2
The splendour of angels broke into the deep darkness of the shepherds’ night. A star led magi from the East through Jerusalem and finally to Bethlehem. “The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world” (John 1:9). This time of year our minds are often drawn to stories and spectacles of light. If we are meditating on the incarnation of the Son of God, this is fitting, for as our passage says today, “God is light” (1 John 1:5).
We associate light both with joy and with beauty. When we can get out of the city to see it—the starry night sky strikes us with awe at its brilliance. We may notice a child’s elation at a birthday party, “Her eyes lit up with excitement.” Knowledge, truth, and insight are also linked with light; a lightbulb has been a symbol for a good idea for decades. Blessedness, loveliness, and wisdom are all ascribed to our God: he is light. Uniquely among the earthly creatures, mankind can enjoy this brightest of treasures—fellowship with God, walking in the Light.
As God’s image-bearers we were made to reflect his glory, that is, his brightness, to one another. Those who walk in the light have a kinship with one another. As we share in the light of God, we have a share in each other as well (1:6–7). Creation and redemption point us to relationships of accurate speech, loyal affection, and attractive community.
But light can also be uncomfortable for us. The sun’s brightness can burn and blind. Light means exposure. If this is true for the lights of nature and artifice, how much more the Light that created the galaxies! Moses was hidden from the glory of Yahweh in the cleft of the rock. Isaiah was undone by the glorious vision of the thrice-holy God of Israel. How could we ever walk there? How can we have fellowship with God?
Evidently the false teachers of John’s day proposed a solution: they “claim we have not sinned” (1:10). How they got away with such a claim is not clear. Perhaps they thought what was done in the body did not really matter (cf. 1 Corinthians 6). But this is no solution. To cave in to such self-deceit forsakes the Light in which we have been called to walk. It makes the Truth out to be a liar (1:10).
The true solution is what we celebrate during this season and hopefully throughout the year: “the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (1:7). Our fellowship with God is not hindered by God’s perfect and absolute justice. Instead, because Jesus Christ the Just has perfectly satisfied the demands of justice for a world of lost sinners (2:1–2), we have assurance of his forgiveness. Walking the Light means we confess our sins. In Christ God’s justice and faithfulness have become the foundation for our assurance of forgiveness (1:9).
John is confident that this astonishing news that the Justice of God has become our advocate will lead us to greater purity in our walk in the Light. He is so confident that he gives us this rock solid foundation of assurance of forgiveness “so that you will not sin” (2:1). Thus we find fellowship, forgiveness, and freedom in the light of the condescending Jesus the Just.