1 John 1:5-10

Subject: Relationship With God

Theme: How to have a relationship with God
Objective: To walk in the light having the right relationship with God.

Introduction/Hook
Imagine being in a dark room where you cannot see. That is what it is like when we're separated from God
walking in darkness, which is sinning on purpose. We don't know where are going because the enemy has
blinded us and we lose communication with God and therefore we're not having a relationship with God. When
you turn on the light in the room, you can see where you are going. That is what it is like when we're having a
relationship with God. He is our light and if we're having a relationship with Him, we are walking in His light.


"Why light and darkness can't coexist."

1. The Perfection of God's light. (verse 5)

The message which we have heard from Him is obviously referring to God. God is light which is the
opposite of darkness. God has no darkness. When the Bible refers to darkness it is in relation to sin.
In God there is no sin. Sin burns in the presence of God and His holiness eliminates sin, therefore God cannot
have fellowship with sin, which is darkness.

"How to know if someone has a relationship with God."

2. Actions Speak Louder Than Words. (verse 6)

People say they have a relationship with God but they walk in darkness which is sin. Then they are liars and
don't practice the truth.
How do we know who is telling the truth? Matthew 7:20 (NLT) Just as you can identify a tree by its fruit,
so you can identify people by their actions. Like the old saying goes, "actions speak louder than words".

"Results of walking in the light."

3. The Importance of Walking in God's Light. (verse7)

If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have a relationship with God.
Two things are true of believers who walk in the light. One, they are in relationship with God and two, they
are being cleansed from every sin. It is important to note that John talked of walking in the light, rather than
according to the light.

To walk according to the light would require sinless perfection and would make relationship with God
impossible for sinful humans. To walk in it, however, suggests instead openness and responsiveness to the light.
Openness to the light of divine truth, which is God. Christians' failures are under the cleansing power of the
blood of Christ. Only in the light of the work Jesus Christ did on the cross, can there be any relationship between
imperfect creatures and a perfect God. ( John 8:12 NIV) Jesus said "I am the light of the world. Whoever
follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."

"God is able to do above all."

4. Knowing how to respond to sin when the Holy Spirit convicts us of it. (verses8-10)

This is a warning to believers not to be deceived thinking because we are a new creation and old things have
passed away that we never fail. Sometimes when we sin we are not even aware of it.

When we sin on purpose and the Holy Spirit sheds light on that sin, we need to repent and ask for forgives so
that we can continue to walk in the light in communion with God. So when we confess our sins, God instantly
cleanses us that we may walk with Him . It is important to note that confession of sin for the believer is not
connected by John with the position of eternal life, which is always conditioned on faith. When a believer loses
personal touch with the God of light, he begins to live in darkness. But confession of sin is the way back into
light.

If the Holy Spirit shed light on our sin, we are not to deny that sin. To deny one's personal sin in the face of
God's presence is to make God out to be a liar. Romans 3:23, "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory
of God". By contradicting His Word, a person rejects it and refuses to give it the proper "place" in his life.

If we look down to the first verse in chapter 2, John says, "My little children, these things I write to you, so
that you may not sin. And if anyone sings, we have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous".

5. Conclusion
In conclusion, we need to stay continuously in God's light so that we can see where we are going and where
God wants us to go. By reading and praying daily to God and asking Him for strength in our weaknesses. We
must also be sensitive to the Holy Spirit when He convicts us of sin to repent so we can walk in His light and not
in our darkness.