WALKING IN THE LIGHT

1 John 1:1 – 4:6
Today’s reading takes us into the 4th chapter of John’s first epistle. John wrote 1 John as a general letter to be circulated among the churches in Asia Minor around Ephesus at a time when he was the church leader there. He was the last remaining apostle who spoke and wrote with the authority of one who had been an eyewitness to the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

John was writing to churches that were full of people who had been struggling with discouragement and disappointment. They faced persecution as well as false teachers who were appearing at their churches with teachings that contradicted the apostolic teachings. John wrote to encourage them to stand firm in their faith and experience true fellowship with God and his people. To encourage his children, he focused on three issues: Christian zeal, standing firm against false teachers, and the assurance of eternal life for believers.

John also used strong contrasts to highlight his teachings. Some of these contrasts include: light vs. darkness, truth vs. falsehood, righteousness vs. sin, love for the Father vs. love for the world, Christ vs antichrists, the Spirit of God vs. the Spirit of the Antichrist. John used these contrasts to present the world in an uncomplicated way.

We all go through ups and downs in our Christian life. When we face that next ‘down’ time in our life, we must remember to keep on ‘walking in the light.’ (1 John1:7) Psalms 119:105 reminds us that His  word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. God’s word is light.‘ Walking in the light’ is living according to God’s word. So, let’s stay in the word!