Q. 1.-1 John 1:77But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. (1 John 1:7)-One has said that " walking in the light " is true of all believers because this epistle is positional in its application and we must seek elsewhere for what is practical; and also that " fellowship one with another " is not at all conditional.
But does not the word " if " imply a possibility of a believer not "walking in the light," and that "fellowship " is conditional on our doing so.
Q. 2.—Is walking according to the light an indication of walking in the light?
T. H.
A. 1.-It is strange that any one should fail to see that the Epistle is strikingly practical. For even in this opening chapter, the apostle shows that it is not what one may " say," but what is the walk of the one so saying? " God is light, and in him is no darkness at all." If we are brought to God we are brought to Him who is " light." At one time we were darkness, but now are we light in the Lord, and hence our walk is to be as of " children of light." As a christian I am brought into that fellowship which is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. What communion hath light with darkness? If I say that I have fellowship with Him and am walking in the darkness out of which every christian is brought (1 Peter 2:9, 109But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:9‑10)), my speech and my walk are in contradiction; and I do not the truth. I am not a christian at all. On the other hand if my walk is in the light, I have fellowship with every other whose walk is therein, because of the precious blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son, which avails alike for every believer. This light of God into which I am brought, makes manifest, not my sins, but the value of that blood which cleanseth from every kind of sin. As the same writer says, " To Him that loveth us, washed us from our sins in His own blood... be glory, etc." It is not a constant action going on in the believer, as many evangelicals would make it out, but what the blood of Jesus does-it " cleanses," and this not partially, but " from every sin." And this is done once for all when I have believed the " word of truth, the gospel of your salvation." For the sins of the believer we have the advocacy of Christ on high with Him Who ever remains our " Father " (for our relationship as children beloved of God can never be broken, though not so our communion), and here on earth " the washing of water by the word " in the power of the Spirit to our consciences.
From this it will be seen that " walking in the light " is true of all believers, and so my responsibility is to walk according to this light in which the grace of God has brought me, and the fellowship here is not approbational (Rom. 16:1717Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. (Romans 16:17); Phil. 3:1717Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (Philippians 3:17)) or ecclesiastical (1 Cor. 5; 2 Tim. 2:1919Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. (2 Timothy 2:19)), but according to 1 John 5:11Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. (1 John 5:1). The " If " is not conditional, but consequential, e.g., Col. 317And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. (Colossians 3:17), " If ye then be risen," as the apostle had just shown them was the fact, " seek those things, etc." If you are a christian, let it be seen that you are one.
A. 2.-Because I am in the light, and there is my walk necessarily (for I cannot any longer pretend I am in darkness if a believer at all), let the walk be consistent with this fact. If I am in a dark room, I may kick against things and be excusable because I am in darkness, but if the light is there and not the darkness, there can be no excuse if I do not walk according to the light which shows what is there.