[Maximum Joy Series] Dealing With DarknessSample

The First Error Exposed: Darkness is death (1:5–6)

Today, we will focus on the first error that stops us from living rightly, from enjoying fellowship and complete joy in Christ. After considering the premise: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all (vs.5), let us now confront the error that may derive from not understanding the premise.

1st Error: “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth” (v.6).

The first error that could be made is to say I am close to God while I am fully aware that I am walking in darkness. This would be the erroneous response to the message in verse 5 (the premise) given in verse 6 (the error). John calls this a lie; it is hypocrisy. In Greek, the word for hypocrisy is the same word as the word for a mask (the masks used by actors in Greek theaters). This argument comes from a person who is hiding something, who is using a mask and simply rationalizes sin in his mind to pretend it is OK. 

We master the art of rationalization when we say things like, Well, nobody is perfect. I do not judge you; you do not judge me, or The Bible does not address this in particular, so there must be freedom. Another one could be, God created us to reproduce in our early teens, but in our culture, people are postponing marriage until their mid to late twenties. Surely God does not expect us to deny ourselves for ten or fifteen years? 

Shall I continue?

In John 8:12 Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” Pay attention to the connection between light and life versus darkness and death. By death, I do not mean physical death, but in the context of 1 Timothy 5:6 and Romans 8:6. In these contexts, Paul means misery – the torture of claiming to be a Christian while secretly or openly doing that which is evil. The consequence of living in hypocrisy is misery, depression, continual guilt, and fear. The only way to walk in darkness and claim to have fellowship with God is to rationalize. However, unresolved sin and guilt can drive you crazy. 

Nonetheless, I have good news; the correction to this error is to be found in verse 7. 

The Correction: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin” (v.7).

The only person who can rightfully claim to be close to God (experience fellowship=complete joy) is the person who walks in the light. When we expose the darkness (our sin) to God, His light turns darkness into light. “If we confess our sin, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). 

Do not waste another minute living in darkness, guilt, depression, and fear. The route to forgiveness is to come to the Lord with no mask or pretense. Freedom and complete joy are waiting for you in the arms of the Father.