Walking in the Light and Truth of God’s Word
It is unethical for a person to claim to be a Christian, if he is not born again. A true believer in Jesus Christ is set apart from the unbeliever by one catalyst — the indwelling Holy Spirit (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9, 11). In writing his first epistle to the churches in the region of Ephesus, the Apostle John claimed to be an eyewitness to the God-man, Jesus Christ. He opened his argument with the testimony of the believing community of eyewitnesses, John declared the full humanity of the eternal Son of God (1 Jn 1:1–4).
The Gnostic heresies that plagued the church at Ephesus needed refutations; and John forcefully argued his case against those who infiltrated the church in order to poison it with doctrines of demons. It is an important reminder for us that the apostles of Jesus Christ were the disciples of Jesus Christ during his earthly ministry, Paul being the exception. This is important because John declared that the apostolic message was received by them from the Lord Jesus Christ, Himself (1 Jn 1:5).
The Gospel of God is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the Word of life we preach because we believe them who saw, heard, and beheld Him. God is light; and Jesus Christ is the Light of the world (Jn 8:12; 1 Jn 1:5). This Light shines in the world; but men walk in darkness because the god of this world has blinded their minds (Jn 1:15; 2 Cor 4:4; 1 Jn 1:6). They cannot see who Jesus is or what he has done for God’s chosen people, given to Him by God the Father (Jn 6:37; 17:2, 6, 24).
Jesus Christ is the One who opened the eyes of the blind (Jn 9). This was to demonstrate His miraculous power in the physical realm. It also served as a type for curing spiritual blindness (1 Cor 2:14–15). The natural man is deaf to the Word of God. He is blind to the truth. He is lame on the wide way of destruction. God has chosen to have mercy on some in this condition (Rom 9:15–16). The Lord graciously saves His people from their sins (Mt 1:21).
Forgiven sinners gather together in local communities to have fellowship with one another. In communion, they worship God in the same Spirit and with the same truth. In these illumined vertical and horizontal relationships — represented by life, light, truth, and forgiveness — it is God’s Word and His Spirit that define us as the body of Christ. Without His Word or His Spirit in us, we do not belong (Jn 14:17; Rom 8:9; 1 Jn 1:8, 10).
Christians claim to be sinners in fellowship with the living God. This is made a reality by the precious blood of Jesus that cleanses us from all sin (1 Pet 1:19; 1 Jn 1:7). Liberated from guilt, shame, and the fear of death, Christians confess their sins knowing God is faithful to forgive us (1 Jn 1:9). This provides a clear conscience, which liberates us to serve God.
The fake Christian tries to blend in with the faith community. There is no truth in this person, making it impossible for him to practice the truth. In his arrogance, the false brother boasts of having no sin (1 Jn 1:8). He persists in making a good showing in the flesh. Invariably, he labors to have people follow him, wanting to be a teacher of things he promotes with arrogant ignorance. His unspoken lust is to have more of the world. For this reason, he is deemed a hypocrite.
Hypocrites say one thing while doing another. The one who is honest knows he is totally depraved and confesses his miserable state apart from Jesus Christ (Jn 15:5). For this reason, the true believer is not ashamed of the Gospel of salvation (Rom 1:16–17). The child of God knows the extraordinary mercy and grace that brought about his or her adoption into the family of God.
All things will be revealed (Mt 10:26). It is the light that reveals the truth about one’s fellowship with God and God’s people. The one who walks in the darkness deceives himself and others by claiming to be a child of light. He has no light to shine before men except a fake light that only illumines mere fabrications posing as truth. For example, the one who claims to have no sin blasphemes the Spirit of truth, who bears witness through God’s Word that all people are unrighteous, unholy, ungodly sinners. The saved sinner still knows the power of his sinful flesh to prevail over him at times. He echoes Paul, “O wretched man that I am!”
My dear reader, it is worth your self-examination in these matters. The hope of the true believer is that as a sinner in this sinful world; he has an Advocate with the Father (1 Jn 2:1). Despite his immeasurable guilt from sin, the redeemed man’s defense has the perfect plea. Jesus Christ, the righteous, who is just by His own merit, is the justifier of the ungodly, chosen and called by God to trust in Christ alone for forgiveness of sins and eternal life (Eph 1:7; 1 Jn 5:13).
The hypocrite finds no value in Christ Jesus. He thinks more highly of himself than he ought. In fact, his estimation of himself is far greater than God’s assessment of him. Therefore, he enjoys telling others of his wondrous accomplishments. He thanks God that he is not like other men. His spiritual blindness is unknown to him., even though he aspires to be a teacher of others. Void of the truth, he concocts his own sour elixir to poison others, having already consumed his own portion.
Jesus Christ propitiated the sins of His people (Heb 2:17; 1 Jn 4:10) from all over the world (1 Jn 2:2), by His precious blood (Rom 3:25). As the Lamb of God, Jesus endured the wrath of God meant for His beloved bride, His church, the Israel of God (Gal 6:16). His motive was love from the purest heart, the perfect conscience, and the perfect knowledge of God.
We have received the eyewitness testimony of the apostolic Gospel handed down to us (Jude 3). The truth of the Gospel deals honestly with all people. We who believe God’s report are bold to confess what great sinners we are in truth — and bold to proclaim the one and only Savior of sinners. Jesus Christ is our only hope and the singular object of our faith unto salvation (Acts 4:12; 1 Tim 1:1). We know whom we have believed; and we are convinced that He alone is able to save us (Titus 3:5; Heb 7:25; Jas 1:21; 4:12). With the truth of God, the Word of God, the Spirit of God in us, His love controls us to walk in the light of union with Christ, the very Word and the very truth of God. This is our illumined victory march and eternal life.
David Norczyk
Spokane Valley, Washington
October 20, 2023
1 John 1:5–2:2
