First of all, I have to say that I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all the imagery that John (the writer of this book) brings into his writing. I am especially fond of the symbolism of dark vs. light. It can also get a little convoluded and overwhelming at the same time. In this first chapter, John states that "God IS Light." Then he goes on to say that we should walk in the light as God is in the light. So, apparently God is both the essence of Light and at the same time is IN THE LIGHT. Interesting. John then goes on to say that if we say we have fellowship with God but still walk in darkness then we are liars. So, darkness and lies seem to be in the same realm. When we are not living in Truth, we are walking in darkness. This makes some sense to me. I know in my life when I am believing a bunch of lies about myself or about God I stumble around and am looking for ways to protect myself from whatever is out there...mostly because I am unsure what exactly is out there. I am walking in darkness. But when I live in Truth, even if the Truth is a harsh reality, I seem to have more courage to face it because I know what is there. I know what to expect. I can take action that I am confident in.
I also think it's interesting that John points out that our walking in the darkness or light affects our fellowship with each other. verse 7 says, "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another...." I don't know about you all but I have spent a lot of time and energy trying to hide from other people, trying to make myself who I think they want me to be. But these are lies. I am walking in darkness. When i walk in the Truth of who I am and who God made me to be, I can have fellowship with others. I can own my sin and receive forgiveness; I can celebrate with those rejoicing and mourn with those who mourn; I can see the blessings that God is pouring into my life and be content. As I write all of this, I realize how little I actually walk in the Light. It's hard. It takes a lot of work and fighting. But I think it's a good and worthwhile fight.
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Thanks, Tiffani. As you said, walking in the darkness affects our fellowship with each other. Like Chapter 2:11 says "but whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him". I feel blind so many times, walking around pretending like I know where I am going, when I actually have no clue. But at the same time, I like that John is simply trying to remind us, that in the end, if we believe in Jesus we are saved. Even though we sin and sometimes are blinded by the darkness, we still have the opportunity to come back to the light.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite verse is in John's concluding remarks: "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to HIS will, he hears us - whatever we ask - we know that we have what we asked of him." God will always welcome us back into the light.
I think that's a common "twisting" of the Bible; that God will give us whatever we ask. He will give us what we ask, but when it's in accordance with His will, for our good and His glory. I find myself going too far though, to the point of not asking for much of anything or when I do ask, not believing that He will provide.
ReplyDeleteI do the same, Jen. Not asking because I don't want to know what his will is in that situation, or not believing, maybe because what I may want is not what he wants, or how he would provide for me in that situation. Interesting to think about though, determining God's will. It reminds me of the talks and discussions on hopes and fears.
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