Our scripture this morning is 1 John 1:3-7.
“We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy. This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.”
The apostle John wrote a Gospel of Christ’s life and teachings, as well as the Book of Revelation, and three letters to help us understand how a relationship with Jesus is the only way to be saved. Each of these have their own unique lessons, but we can hear the connection that runs through them all. This shows the consistent truth in God’s word, taught by Jesus and inspired by the Holy Spirit for the faithful.
In this passage we read “God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all” (v. 5), a theme John had used in the opening of his Gospel. There he writes “The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it” (John 1:4-5). He teaches that the light of Jesus has come to illuminate our minds and expose evil wherever it exists.
The light of God’s love is offered to all of us through Christ’s sacrifice to save us and the presence of the Holy Spirit to guide us. God wants to be part of our lives and wants us back in relationship with Him. When we accept Jesus as our savior we can live in the light and go in His name to share that blessing.
Loving Lord, we are humbled that You call us to be part of Your work in creation. Help us to be steadfast in our faith and strong in Your spirit to make disciples of all the world. Amen.