The first epistle of John believes that Christian identity is straightly related to living in the light as a contrast against living in darkness (1 Jn 1.5-2.8).
1. Jesus came to the world to preach that 'God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all' (1 Jn 1.5). To believe in God through Jesus, His Son means to live (literally: 'to walk') not in darkness (1 Jn 1.6-7). Our Christian identity is defined by our fellowship with both God and other believers; and our fellowship with God and with other believers is described by the way we live. Note: the fellowship with other believers is discussed in 1 Jn 2.9-11).
2. Through the blood of Jesus, we who believe in Him are cleansed and purified (1 Jn 1.7). The blood of Jesus is effective only to those who admit and confess their sins before God (1 Jn 1.8-9). The blood of Jesus enables believers to live in the light over against the darkness. The community of believers is the fellowship of women and men who have been purified and cleansed by the blood of Jesus and called to walk a righteous life. Believers are women and men with new identity and new ethics. The very foundation of Christian ethics is therefore the cleansing by the precious blood of Jesus. The blood of Jesus is the prime motivation and the only enabler for believers to live in God's light.
3. The fellowship in God is marked by consistently keeping and obeying the truth of the Word of God (1 Jn 2.4-6). The old era has passed, now we live in a new era (1 Jn 2.8). Living in God's light means stop sinning and discontinue to live in sinful behaviour! (1 Jn 2.1). But even if we fail to live a righteous life, the forgiveness of God prevails and is available for those who admit and confess their sins (1 Jn 2.2). The main point of the text is without question a calling and encouragement to live a righteous living. It is not a choice for those who claim to be the follower of Jesus - it is related to the very foundation of Christian identity. At the same time, the text also recognizes the power of God's grace over the human weaknesses. The text assures us that forgivenss is always available at any time. John seems to believe not only in a single possible repentance. Sanctification by the blood of Jesus is an ongoing process that begins with crucial decision to believe God in and through Jesus.
4. At one point, the focus of this passage is a strong ethical encouragement. Christian ethics is not additional in nature. Christian ethics is attached at the very heart of our Christian identity. Being and doing cannot be separated. At the other point John strongly believes in the abundance grace of God. This grace is unlimited and available even for the whole world (1 Jn 2.2). The passage indicates that the blood of Jesus has the power to cleanse the sinners not only once at the beginning, but also continuously as we live in Him. Notice the parallelism of 1 Jn1.10 and 1 Jn 2.6 which I think serves as the very foundation of the passage.
God's commandment is not impossible commandment because God's grace first and continually cleanses, empowers and enables believers to live in obedience. The source of command is at the same time the source of the empowerment. What we as believers need to do is simply to live by God's grace and in obediece to His command. May I invite you?
'The Darkness is Passing Away, and the True Light is Already Shinning' (1 Jn 2.8).
1 comments:
I enjoyed reading your article and would like to add that motivation for holiness to God is easier when seen as a love response rather than a duty of ethics. In Psalm 41.4 David shows that sin is against God personally, it's not just an abstract rule. It breaks his heart and it should also break our hearts when we sin.
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