1: 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
The first is a practical examination of “walk and talk.” If you talk the talk, then you better walk the walk. Claiming to be in fellowship with the Lord implies that a person is living in a pleasing manner. That is not “walking” in darkness. That does not refer to taking a stroll after the sun has gone down.
It means to walk outside of the revealed Word of God. (John talks a lot about light and darkness. Check out his Gospel. It occurs 14 times.) Specifically, Jesus said that belief in Him is equivalent to having the “light.” John finishes it by characterizing it as “practicing the truth.” And living a life in concert with His revelation avoids a lot of missteps.
7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
The fellowship with God involves having fellowship with others. No fellowship is also equivalent to “darkness.” The first lesson is to walk in dark. Walking in light and truth is also a life that has forgiven sins. This leads to the next step. (Pun intended.)
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
We are not sinless, we are self deceived until we have been cleansed. Verse 9 explains:
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
We are now walking in the light, experiencing the cleansing “light” that removes darkness. Being “darkness free” enables us to have fellowship with our Creator. Next we come to...
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
Notice the progression. Claimed, but spurious fellowship, claimed, but absent purity, and now claimed, but faulty holiness. We are not just ignoring our condition of sin but we are denying our way of life which involves our actions. The condition or nature produces walking in darkness and a propensity to continue in lawlessness. This does not reflect a life that has been “cleansed.”
The fourth challenge now focuses on interpersonal actions:
2:9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.
One cannot walk in light and hate anyone, especially his brother.
John gives the converse:
10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
Notice the reference to walking again. It is without a stumble. But...
11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
Did you ever walk through an unknown room in the dark? It is implied that stumbling is the least of the mishaps. “Does not know where he is going.” Been there. Done that. And have the bruised big and pinky toes to prove it. I was walking with eyes wide open, but still did not see. Darkness blinded my eyes. And Jesus commented that this darkness, self imposed as it is, is very great. Matthew 6:23
The “if...” theme continues:
4:20 If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
John almost seems incredulous that anyone can be so “dark” as to think that it is possible to love God and hate someone, especially his brother. John uses the “L” word again. Calling a person a liar is one of the most severe insults possible. V. 6 “...we lie...” implied to others. v.8 “...deceive ourselves....” v. 10 “...make Him a liar....” 4:20 “...he (me) is a liar.” If we do this, we lie to others. We lie to our self. We call God a liar. And finally, God calls us a liar.
If your toe getting sore yet? The steel-toed boot we need is right here: “If we confess....” We can leave darkness and walk in light. Barefooted, with no pain.
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