The book of First John

A Verse by Verse Study
Text 1st John 1:7 - 10

 

A. Introduction

     1. Last week we looked at V. V. 5 – 6

          a. We saw that God is light, and the word light is Holy

          b. We saw that we are to walk in light if we are going to have fellowship with God.

          c. We saw that if we say we do have fellowship with God and walk in darkness we are liars.

          d. We saw that in “light” is no darkness, therefore darkness cannot fellowship with light.

 

B. V. 7 “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another,”

     1. How do we know we are in the will of God, or that we are fellowshipping with the Lord?  “We walk in the light”

     2. Three things that shows that we are “walking in the light.

          a. Leading lives of holiness and purity; that is, the Christian must be characteristically a holy man, a light in the world, by his example.

          b. Walking in the truth; that is, embracing the truth in opposition to all error of heathenism and infidelity, and having clear, spiritual views of truth. 2 Corinthians 4:6 “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

          c. Enjoying the comforts of religion.  2 Corinthians 13:11 “Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.” The comforts of religion is living in the peace that God brings in His word.

     3. We have wonderful fellowship with the Lord and we have wonderful fellowship with other Christians.

 

C. V. 7 b “the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.”
     1. This is how the fellowship is possible.

     2. This is how our walk of faith is possible.

     3. This is how our fellowship with each other and with other Christians is possible.

     4. We must be cleansed in order to be in or walk in this light.

D. The second time we are called liars by God.

     1. V. 8 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”
          a. If we say we are not sinners we are liars. The Lord said Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” 

          b. The truth is Jesus; He is not in us if we say we have no sin. One must confess sin in order to come to Christ.

     2. V. 9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
          a. The only way to be forgiven for sin is to confess them to the Lord. If you are not sick then you do not need a doctor.

          b. Yes, we must fall helplessly before the Lord, ask for grace and mercy in a very humble matter, and confess to God that we are sinners unworthy of salvation.

          c. Psalms 32:5 “I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.” Proverbs 28:13 “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” 

          d. V. 9b “and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Yes, God will pardon all of our sins. The blood of Jesus has the greatest cleansing power. 

E.  V. 10 The tone changes, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

     1. We no longer are liars ourselves but rather we call God a liar. Why, you might ask, because God has proclaimed throughout the bible man, that is all men are sinner.

          a. Genesis 6:11-12 “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. (12.) And God looked upon the earth, and, behold, it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted his way upon the earth.

          b. Psalms 14:1-3 “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. (2.) The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. (3.) They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

          c. Psalms 58:3 “The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.”

          d. Galatians 3:21 “Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.”

          e. To say we are good people, or we are worthy people, or we do not sin, is to say God is a liar. 

     2.  V. 10b “and his word is not in us.” I believe “word” just as “truth” in V. 8 both refer to Jesus Christ. Let’s remember the same John wrote both this letter and the gospel of John.

          a. John 1:1 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”

          b. I believe that what John is saying here is that if you do not confess sin and walk in light you are nor saved and you are a liar that says you are and you make God a liar because He said you are not.