Read 1 John 1:5-6 in your personal Bible or at the link provided.
Review
1. Who originally spoke the message that John shares in these verses?
2. What sharp contrast is presented?
3. How does this change the way we should live?
Reflect
In today’s reading, John lays out the first sharp contrast in his letter – light versus darkness. Bible commentaries agree that in this context, light is a symbol of knowledge, purity, goodness, truth, holiness, and reliability. In contrast, darkness represents sin and evil.
These verses remind us that it’s possible to be religious and not know God at all. We will all sin, but the bigger issue is premeditative sin, where we say, “I’ll do this now, and God will forgive me later.” Or, “It’s not really a sin if I follow my heart.” The truth is, we can’t claim to know God if we willfully, defiantly pursue sin. We can’t claim to know Jesus as Savior if we’re not willing to let Him be Lord of our lives.
We’re called to step into the light. To believe and repent. To let God change us inside and out. To set aside casual faith and be confessional. To make our lives a holy pursuit to look more and more like Jesus. This is the difference between light and dark.
Respond
• Do you feel like God’s ways are cumbersome and lame, or do you resonate with the words of Psalm 19:8, “God’s commands are right and bring joy to the heart. They are clear and give insight for living”?
• What’s your internal response when you sin? Do you hide it, rationalize it, or normalize it? Or do you take a posture of confession, surrender, and repentance?
• What specific sins are coming to mind right now that you’ve willfully pursued over living in the light? Have you confessed them?
Pray through these questions, and write down what God is prompting you to do next. Share with a friend, and take a step to apply it.