{"id":55129,"date":"2024-08-05T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-08-05T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/?p=55129"},"modified":"2024-07-31T11:00:31","modified_gmt":"2024-07-31T18:00:31","slug":"living-in-the-light","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/living-in-the-light\/","title":{"rendered":"Living in the Light"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There\u2019s a clear difference between believers and unbelievers, a difference that is as stark as that between black and white, light and darkness. The source of this difference is God himself, since he is light and there is no darkness in him at all. John tells us that this difference shows itself in how believers live, how they address sin in their lives, and in whom they put their trust. Let\u2019s see how John unpacks <strong><em>living in the light<\/em><\/strong> with these notes from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/store\/product.php?productid=17319\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">NLT Study Bible<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Overview of 1 John 1:5\u20132:2<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here John focuses on the first aspect of living in fellowship with God. <strong><em>Living in the light<\/em><\/strong> means that the believers will see that they are sinners, but they will also realize that Jesus is their Advocate to make them right with God (see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Eph+5%3A6-13&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Eph+5%3A6-13&amp;version=NIV\">Eph 5:6\u201313<\/a><\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>God Is Light<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all.\u201d <\/p>\n<cite>1 John 1:5<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Jn+1%3A5&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1:5<\/a>: <strong><em>from Jesus:<\/em><\/strong> Literally <em>from him.<\/em> <strong><em>God is light:<\/em><\/strong> This <em>light<\/em> shone through Jesus Christ to all he came in contact with, to expose their sin and to illumine the moral nature and character of God (see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Jn+1%3A4-5&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">John 1:4\u20135<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Jn+1%3A9&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">9<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Jn+3%3A19-21&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Jn+3%3A19-21&amp;version=NIV\">3:19\u201321<\/a><\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Jn+8%3A12&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">8:12<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Jn+9%3A5&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">9:5<\/a>; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Jn+12%3A35-36&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">12:35\u201336<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Jn+12%3A46&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">46<\/a>). In John, \u201clight\u201d represents God\u2019s holiness and revelation. It is the opposite of false teaching and undisciplined living, which is \u201cdarkness\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Jn+1%3A6&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1:6<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>False Claims of Fellowship<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSo we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth.\u201d <\/p>\n<cite>1 John 1:6<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+John+1%3A6&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1:6<\/a>: This is the first of several instances in which John challenges the claims of the Gnostics, who had broken away from the apostolic fellowship and were thus <strong><em>living in spiritual darkness.<\/em><\/strong> They claimed to have <strong><em>fellowship with God<\/em><\/strong> but did not express his character, which is light. Jesus had warned the Jewish leaders of his day not to let the light they thought they had be darkness (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Matt+6%3A23&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Matt 6:23<\/a>)\u2014their religious beliefs had blinded them to the spiritual illumination they could have received from Christ. In like manner, these Gnostic teachers thought they were enlightened but were actually darkened by their so-called illuminations. They claimed to have spiritual experiences from God, yet they rejected fellowship with the ones who had actually seen God in the flesh, namely, John and the other apostles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Jn+1%3A6&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1:6<\/a>: <strong><em>koin\u014dnia:<\/em><\/strong> <em>fellowship<\/em> see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Acts+2%3A42&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Acts 2:42<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis noun means an association of close mutual relationship and involvement with another; it is an alliance with another person or group, formal or informal. There is an implication of intimacy, singleness of purpose, trust of one another, sharing of material goods, and harmony rather than hostility.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBut 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.\u201d <\/p>\n<cite>1 John 1:7<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Jn+1%3A7&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1:7<\/a>: Believers have <strong><em>fellowship<\/em><\/strong> with each other and with God as they live <strong><em>in the light.<\/em><\/strong> People cannot say they commune with God and then refuse to have fellowship with God\u2019s people. This was the case with the Gnostics. The apostles of Christ had known Jesus Christ as God-in-the-flesh and were continuing to have spiritual fellowship with him (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Jn+1%3A3&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1:3<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>False Claims of Sinlessness<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth.\u201d <\/p>\n<cite>1 John 1:8<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Jn+1%3A8&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1:8<\/a>: <strong><em>If we claim we have no sin:<\/em><\/strong> This is the second false claim of the Gnostics. They claimed that they were or could be sinless since Christ had abolished their sins once and for all\u2014their higher knowledge would lift them above the realm of sin. But Christians do still sin when they live in their old nature (see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Rom+7%3A14-25&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rom 7:14\u201325<\/a>). The true Christian both acknowledges this sin (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Jn+1%3A9&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1:9<\/a>) and trusts in Christ to take it away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBut if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.\u201d <\/p>\n<cite>1 John 1:9<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Jn+1%3A9&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1:9<\/a>: To maintain continual fellowship with God, we need to <strong><em>confess our sins to him.<\/em><\/strong> Forgiveness and cleansing are guaranteed because God is <strong><em>faithful<\/em><\/strong> to his promises and because he acts on the basis of his justice. Christ\u2019s death for our sins fulfills God\u2019s justice and acquits us of our guilt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Jn+1%3A9&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1:9<\/a> <strong><em>hamartia:<\/em><\/strong> <em>sin<\/em> see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Matt+26%3A28&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Matt. 26:28<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis noun is a general term for sin, any action or attitude that is contrary to the will of God and the revealed standards of God.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.\u201d <\/p>\n<cite>1 John 1:10<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Jn+1%3A10&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1:10<\/a>: <strong><em>If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar:<\/em><\/strong> God\u2019s word emphasizes the permeating and penetrating nature of sin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>True Satisfaction for Sinners<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMy dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.\u201d <\/p>\n<cite>1 John 2:1<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Jn+2%3A1&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:1<\/a>: In order to live \u201cin the light\u201d (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Jn+1%3A5-7&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1:5\u20137<\/a>), one must confess sin (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Jn+1%3A9&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1:9<\/a>) and stop sinning. John emphasized sin in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Jn+1&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ch 1<\/a> in order to make believers despise their sin and avoid it. <strong><em>if anyone does sin:<\/em><\/strong> Believers should repudiate sin, but they should not fear confessing sins to God. <strong><em>advocate<\/em><\/strong> (Greek <em>parakl\u0113tos,<\/em> \u201cone who is called to our side\u201d as comforter or advocate): Christ is our defense attorney, representing us before the Father in heaven (see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Rom+8%3A26-34&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rom 8:26\u201334<\/a>; cp. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Jn+14%3A16&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">John 14:16<\/a>). <strong><em>Jesus Christ, the . . . righteous:<\/em><\/strong> We, in contrast, are sinful. Because Christ fulfilled the law and paid sin\u2019s penalty for us, he can plead for us on the basis of justice as well as mercy. When God raised Christ from the dead, he accepted once for all Christ\u2019s plea for our acquittal (see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Rom+4%3A23-25&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rom 4:23\u201325<\/a>). \u201cThe righteousness of Christ stands on our side; for God\u2019s righteousness is, in Jesus Christ, ours\u201d (Martin Luther).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Jn+2%3A1&amp;version=NIV\">2:1<\/a> <strong><em>parakl\u0113tos:<\/em><\/strong> <em>comforter, helper, advocate<\/em> see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=John+14%3A16&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">John 14:16<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThis noun is a person who helps or enables another person. Sometimes <em>parakl\u0113tos<\/em> has a legal meaning, referring to an advocate in a courtroom setting. It became a title for the Holy Spirit, whose role includes encouraging, strengthening, and supporting God\u2019s people.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHe himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins\u2014and not only our sins but the sins of the world.\u201d <\/p>\n<cite>1 John 2:2<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Jn+2%3A2&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:2<\/a>: <strong><em>sacrifice that atones:<\/em><\/strong> The Greek <em>hilasmos<\/em> means \u201cappeasement by means of sacrifice\u201d (cp. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+John+4%3A10&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">4:10<\/a>). Christ satisfied God\u2019s justice by dying in our place (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=Rom+3%3A25&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Rom 3:25<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+Jn+2%3A2&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">2:2<\/a> <strong><em>hilaskomai, hilasmos, hilast\u0113rion:<\/em><\/strong> <em>atonement, propitiation, expiation<\/em> see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/bible\/?query=1+John+4%3A10&amp;version=NIV\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">1 John 4:10<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThese words refer to the means by which sins and offenses are forgiven. The result of atonement is mercy and reconciliation between the sinner and the one wronged. In the NT, these words refer to Jesus\u2019 atoning sacrifice. <em>Hilast\u0113rion<\/em> can also mean the \u201cplace of atonement,\u201d referring to the cover of the Ark.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Start Studying the Scriptures with the NLT Study Bible<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"580\" src=\"http:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/NLTStudyBibleSocial-1024x580.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-51619\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/NLTStudyBibleSocial-1024x580.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/NLTStudyBibleSocial-300x170.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/NLTStudyBibleSocial-768x435.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/08\/NLTStudyBibleSocial-1536x870.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/store\/product.php?productid=17319\">NLT Study Bible<\/a> is packed with incredible features to help you study the Scriptures. In addition to the 25,000 study notes, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/store\/product.php?productid=17319\">NLT Study Bible<\/a> includes hundreds of articles, visual aids, person profiles, maps and timelines. Plus, this product includes an extensive English dictionary and definitions for 100 central Hebrew and Greek words each! Get your copy today!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-fe48e5de wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-white-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/store\/product.php?productid=17319\" style=\"background-color:#77aa3c\">NEW LIVING TRANSLATION STUDY BIBLE<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There\u2019s a clear difference between believers and unbelievers, a difference that is as stark as that between black and white, light and darkness. The source of this difference is God himself, since he is light and there is no darkness in him at all. John tells us that this difference shows itself in how believers<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":55130,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[7850],"tags":[5987],"class_list":["post-55129","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-study-bibles","tag-nlt-study-bible"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.3 (Yoast SEO v28.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Living in the Light - Olive Tree Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.olivetree.com\/blog\/living-in-the-light\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Living in the Light\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"There\u2019s a clear difference between believers and unbelievers, a difference that is as stark as that between black and white, light and darkness. 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