1 John 1:5-10 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.… I. A LESSON OF INSTRUCTION (ver. 5). Both the manner and the matter of this lesson are very impressive. 1. The apostle adopts the manner of the deliverer of Israel (Judges 3:20). It is indeed the style of our Lord Himself (John 7:16). It is intended to remind us that the word and ministry are to be understood and treated as a message from God (1 Thessalonians 4:8). It is observable that no mention is here made by name of the Being from whom the message comes. "We have heard of him." Of whom? No doubt the glorious Being described in the previous verses. It is Jesus the Mediator. 2. Impressive, however, as is the manner of the lesson before us, its matter is of far higher moment. (1) "God is light." Its simplicity and comprehensiveness are amazing. There are three principal ideas suggested by the figure. (a) Light is the emblem of knowledge. God is onmiscient. He sees all things as they are, in their true nature and real influence. He cannot be deceived. Matter and mind are alike plain to His perception. Our motives and feelings and purposes are as palpable to Him as our bodies. (b) So also is light the emblem of holiness. God is "the Holy One" implying that none but He is absolutely and infinitely holy. All He does is in undeviating correspondence with perfect purity. (c) Light is the emblem of happiness. Infinite knowledge and holiness must be productive of infinite happiness. He possesses within Himself all the sources of unmingled blessedness. His perfections are never-failing springs of joy. (2) "And in Him is no darkness at all." Nor is this without its meaning. It is designed to teach us that no element enters into His light to obscure it. He is intellectually and morally perfect. II. A WARNING AGAINST SELF-DECEPTION (ver. 6). 1. "If we say that we have fellowship." We say it, but we may herein be uttering what is untrue. Profession is not principle. We may be self-deceived, or we may be hypocrites. 2. "And walk in darkness." Darkness is the emblem of ignorance, error, and sin. And so far may the spirit of self-deception or hypocrisy prevail, that with the highest professions on our lips, our walk may be utterly inconsistent with them. It is not merely that we may be betrayed by the force of temptation into some inconsistent action, but that our habit of life is contrary to sound principle and true godliness. 3. "We lie" in such a case. Our outward profession is contrary to the inward reality. 4. "And do not the truth." If such be our deportment, we are disobedient to the truth. The language reminds us of the words of Christ (John 3:19-21). 5. It is plain that the warning of the apostle is designed to stand ill contrast to the lesson which he had just delivered. Looking at it, then, in this light, how powerful is his appeal! God is light. Who, then, can have fellowship with such a Being? Is it he who is walking in darkness, which is the emblem of ignorance, and error, and sin? Impossible! "And what communion hath light with darkness?" 6. With these solemn words before us, let us inquire who they are that belie their profession of fellowship with God? (1) The ignorant do so. They have no adequate conception of sin, or of themselves, or of the Saviour, or of God, or of the world, or of eternity. They are walking in darkness, yet they have no fear. (2) The erroneous present a mole aggravated case. What a description does Isaiah (Isaiah 44:20) give of such! St. Paul describes the same (Romans 10:3). The forms in which they do so are very various, and sometimes the very opposite of one another. One trusts in his innocence or righteousness. He does not see anything in himself why God should cast him off, but thinks he has done much to commend himself to His fellowship. Another relics not on himself at all, but in the creed which he has learned from his youth, and which he holds tenaciously in the letter, while a stranger to its power and spirit. Many more rest in the formality of outward rites and ceremonies (Matthew 15:8). (3) Above all, they who allow themselves in sin, fall under the censure of the apostle. Nor are such always sensible of their own inconsistencies. It is to be feared many are going to the judgment with their sins without alarm. III. THE SEASONABLE AND ENCOURAGING DIRECTION which the apostle gives to those who would have the enjoyment and advantage of real fellowship (ver. 7). 1. A clear apprehension of the truth is essential to fellowship. No one can have solid and permanent enjoyment of God who does not well understand the doctrine of justification by faith. 2. The believer, thus enlightened and brought into fellowship with God, must exercise the utmost watchfulness against sin. Whatever sin is allowed, and in whatever measure, it will obscure the object of faith, and darken the evidence of his interest in it. 3. He who would walk in the light and enjoy the fellowship of God must abound in well-doing. This is the secret of religious enjoyment. "He that watereth others, shall himself be watered." Exercise is essential to health. (James Morgan, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. |
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