Brief Darkness/Eternal Light

"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 cleanses us from all sin." 1 John 1:7

A few years ago, my family and I took a tour of Talking Rock Caverns in Missouri. We still often reminisce about the 150 steps that led us deep into the earth, along with the countless stalagmite and stalactite formations that filled the caverns, some reaching heights of 40 to 50 feet. But what remains fixed in our memories is the moment when we all experienced true darkness. During our hour-long tour, there was a planned moment when all the installed lights were turned off, and there we were, 150 feet beneath the earth's surface in pitch-black darkness. Selah. Although it lasted only a few seconds, that brief darkness left a profound impression. The absence of light was overwhelming, almost too much to handle, and in the darkness, all I longed for was to see —I wanted light.

The wonderful truth that scripture tells us is that light always triumphs over darkness (John 1:5). Light and darkness are not equal opposites; light prevails 100% of the time. Strike a match in Talking Rock Caverns, and it transforms everything instantly. Darkness can never completely overshadow the light; light always wins—without fail! 1 John 1:7 offers a beautiful blueprint for living the life we were meant to live. It captures the essence of living in Christ and His church. Life begins with Light. We were never created to live concealed lives, hidden in darkness. We were made for Light. Made for fellowship with God and with one another. Warmed and made alive by Light. By "walking in the Light" (which means, in essence, living in His very nature—'the Light' as in 1 John 1:5), we engage in friendship with Him. And this friendship with Him leads to authentic fellowship with other believers. We are capable and free to welcome a nurturing community into the depths of our hearts. This is the key ingredient in the recipe for life, and as we "walk" in it, we experience it.

At the same time, as we walk in the Light, we are being cleansed of our sins. This passage does not speak of the initial justification through His blood, but of the ongoing sanctification that happens as we walk in the Light. By enjoying friendship with Him and the saints, we partake in the privilege of being purified through the blood of His Son, Jesus. Christ's blood is the means of purification. As David Brown stated in his commentary on 1 John: "…being already justified and in fellowship with God, we become clean from all sin that would hinder our fellowship with God. Faith applies the cleansing, purifying blood."

Light always conquers darkness, and living life in the Light results in the cleansing of our sins through His blood. So, where are you hiding? Let Light change the atmosphere of your soul's cavern. We long for fellowship with God and with one another, and we also desire to be cleansed of sin. The recipe Christ has provided for life fulfills these yearnings.