Devoted to the Propagation and Defense of New Testament Christianity
VOLUME 18
June 30, 1966
NUMBER 9, PAGE 7b-8a

Walking In The Light

Clint Springer

Introduction:

1. Read I John 1:1-10. Emphasize verse 7. A. Review the song, "Stepping in the Light".

2. This lesson is designed to teach us what is LIGHT, what it means to WALK THEREIN, the RESULT of this walk, and the CONDITIONS (if) implied.

3. Illustrate with story of man following a lantern or flashlight along the trail on a dark night. He must get into the light (the plan of salvation) and walk therein to reach the destination, avoiding the stumbling blocks and pitfalls along the way. Refer to this at appropriate times throughout the lesson.

Discussion: I. A Discussion From The Word "Light".

1. Opposite of darkness. God is light. (Verse 5 of text)

A. Cannot walk in light and hold to darkness. Cannot serve two masters. (Luke 16:13)

B. Friendship of the world is enmity with God. (James 4:4)

2. Often used to indicate wisdom, knowledge, understanding.

A. Light, wisdom and understanding in Daniel. (Dan. 5:11 and 14)

B. Jesus said that John was a burning and shining light. (John 5:35)

(1) "He was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light" (John 1:8) Jesus is the true Light. (John 1:9) John was, even as we must be, a REFLECTOR of the Light.

C. We must be enlightened. (Eph. 1:18)

3. Sometime there was literal light manifested from God.

A. A cloud and darkness to the Egyptians, but a light by night to the children of Israel. (Exodus 13:21, 22 and 14:20; Neh. 9:19)

B. When Saul was on his way to Damascus. (Acts 9:3)

(1) Saul said to the LIGHT, "Who art thou, Lord?" (Acts 9:5; Cf. John 1:9)

C. When Peter was in prison. (Acts 12:7)

4. CHRIST is this LIGHT manifested. (Eternal life. Verse 2 of text; see also I John 2:8; Rev. 21:23 and 22:5)

A. Read John 1:1-12 and 17.

B. "The people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up." (Matt. 4:14; Quoted from Isa. 9:2)

5. Other things called LIGHT. (Note how they go hand-in-hand with the foregoing thoughts)

A. "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path". (Ps. 119:105)

(1) "For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life" (Pro. 6:23).

B. The gospel Read II Cor. 4:3-6.

C.Christians. "Ye are the light of the world" (Read Matt. 5:14-16).

(1) We must let our light shine; Many try to hide it. We have been called out of darkness into light. (I Peter 2:9)

II. Walking In The Light.

1. Not literal as the introductory story, a walking or stepping (as in the song), but means the manner of life; How one conducts himself. "And to keep himself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27b)

A. It means a fellowship (common sharing) with Christ. (Heb. 1:2; Cf. Rom. 8:17)

(1) It is because of this fellowship with Christ that we have fellowship with one another. (verse 6 and 7 of text)

B. We must walk lest darkness come upon us. Read or review John 12:35,36.

(1) "I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth in me should not abide in darkness" (John 12:46).

2. This means conforming to the Christ-like personality. It means to obey ALL the commandments of God.

A. "The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day: not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof." (Rom. 13:12-14)

B. Review chapter five or Ephesians, esp. verse 8 and 14.

III. The Result Of This Walk.

1. Fellowship with Christ, with one another, and the blood cleanseth us from sin.

A. We must ask Who? The text says "little children" and "brethren" (I John 2:1,7).

(1) Christians are the children of light.

(I Thess. 5:5; Eph. 5:8)

(2) One must first get into the light before he can walk therein. (Cf. Gal. 3:26-28)

2. Salvation, hope of eternal life, redemption, inheritance; All spiritual blessings. (Eph. 1:3 and verses following)

A. "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day" (Prov. 4:18).

3. Many privileges PLUS DUTY AND RESPONSIBILITY.

A. Eternal life (1:2). Fellowship (1:3). Joy (1:4). Cleansing of sin (1:6). An advocate with the Father (2:1). Propitiation (2:2).

B. Must not hate a brother (2:9). Must love one another (2:10).

C. The best privilege of all, we are called sons of God. (3:1)

IV. Qualified By The Conjunction "If".

1. "If is a subordinating conjunction introducing a condition." Note how many times it is used in our text.

A. To illustrate further, note that the word "believing" is used many times in place of all requirements involved... In a comprehensive manner.

(1) Read and enlarge upon John 3:18-21.

(2) We cannot follow Jesus and walk in darkness. (John 8:12)

2. To be saved, then, a person must get into the light and remain (walk) faithful.

A. "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. " (Isa. 8:20)

B. "The light of the righteous rejoiceth: but the lamp of the wicked shall be put out" (Prov. 13:9)

C. The lost rebel against the light (know not the ways; abide not in the paths; Job 24:13)

Conclusion:

1. "He shall go to the generation of his fathers; they shall never see the light". (Ps. 49:19... Cf. John 1:10-12)

A. But those who will receive him are given power to become the sons of God. (John 1:12)

2. We must obey according to His terms. (Cf. Isa. 5:20; and 59:1-9)

A. The crown of life is given those that remain faithful unto death. (Rev. 2:10)

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