1. What Does It Mean to Walk in the Light?
John says in 1 John 1 that God is light and that we should walk in the light by being in Him. But what does it mean to walk in the light? 1 John 2:10 says, “He who loves his brother abides in the light”. So love is the main characteristic of walking in the light or a result of walking in the light.
2. The Verdict: When Light Has Come Into the World
John 3:19-21 says: “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.”
2.1. Love Truth, Love Light
So, light is exposure, visibility. Walking in the light means living life transparently, not trying to hide from other people. If one finds oneself not wanting others to know what one did, then one is probably walking in darkness. On the other hand, those walking in the truth want to come to the light. They like their deeds/thoughts/intentions/vision/agenda to be exposed as they have nothing to be ashamed of. It is basically living, staying, and operating in the realm where you have nothing to hide.
2.2. Walking in the Light Is Being Honest
John continues in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness”. So, walking in the light is being honest about our failures, to be open, humble, and forthright about weaknesses. Honesty, humility, not lying, not being proud, not pretending to be something that we are not – these are the major features of walking in the light.
3. Living Right – Not Just Dying Right
Some like to ask the question, “If you die tonight, where will you be?”. A more pertinent question would be, “If you live tomorrow, how will you live?”. Most of the problems in the church are due to people who know how to die right (or think they do), but do not know how to live right!