Bible Study John 1:7

[Kidron]

WHAT A great verse.

1 John 1:7
7 But 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.

As are they all.

This one tho, because of the way its joined by the word "and", along with a comma, gives new Christians and all Legalists a real push and a shove.
So, let me offer this verse, expounded just a little, so that God'sgrace is found in it, as God would always have His Word.
See, Grace is the underlying principle of salvation.
Grace is how God behaves toward us.
So, when we as believers need to know..."what is God really like"...
Then the answer is ......He is just like Jesus., as Jesus is God.
And what is Jesus like?..... He's JUST LIKE GOD

Now, when studying the scriptures or when living your life, you will sometimes find yourself with questions about them both.., because some verses and some life situations are unique, to say the least.
And in both cases, and in all cases, always remember that God's dealing with you is always underpinned with and by, Grace.
Never law.
Never Judgement.
Never condemnation.
His word, His acceptance, just like HIS LOVE< is FREELY given.
All that comes from God, is freely given, and does not require of you to be deserving of it.
God's Love is not given to you because you deserve it. Its given to you because GOD IS LOVE, and sacrifice is the ultimate form of true love. = God on a Cross.

Its true that regarding your discipleship God rewards effort and motive, but its not true that you have to earn anything from God.
Discipleship, the real deal, is not you earning anything or keeping anything, but rather is you worshipping God with your LIFE.
THAT is discipleship.
See, if you wrongly live your Christianity as "earning from God' , then you are putting God in the "owing you" situation.
And He will never owe you, and you will never earn what He freely gives, and He freely gives all He has, through Christ, to you.
Salvation is a GIFT.
Righteousness is a GIFT.
Eternal Life is a GIFT.
Everything you have, including your LIFE, is God's GIFT to YOU,.... that GOD is allowing you to continue to have and use, because He loves you.

Now, about John 1:7.

here is how to wrongly divide this verse so that it puts you in a "earn it" situation..
So, to clarify....Let me write it as a person who is not familiar with God's grace would read it...

7 """" But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, (and IF WE ALWAYS DO THIS THEN, and only THEN,) will the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanse us from all sin.""

Now, see that?
Is that you?
Is that how you think about God and how you must earn......... His grace?
See, thats the thing......you dont EARN Grace..... and all that God's gives, He "gives FREELY", as it has to be this way, or its none of Grace, and none of God, and all of YOU, instead.

Now, let me expound the verse, just a bit, so that you can hear it and feel it, as its meant to be...

7 """But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another.
And (always remember) that The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."""

Now see that?
This verse has 2 ides, and two truths.., and its not just one that is predicated by the other, as many would read it and become condemned or worse, = fall into striving to attain from God instead of receiving with gratitude, His love and Grace.
What you have with this verse, is 2 ideas, connected by a comma and the word "and'.

See the difference?
See how one reading falsely and legalistically puts the responsibility of God's grace on you, and the other reading, the correct reading, establishes 2 (separated) ideas and 2 separate situations. ??
Grace is always freely given, or its not Grace.


God bless.


<K><

 

[ezra]

7 """" But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, (and IF WE ALWAYS DO THIS THEN, and only THEN,) will the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanse us from all sin.""

Now, see that?
Is that you?
Is that how you think about God and how you must earn......... His grace?

nope you never earn his Grace but there are things we are to do as Christian confess our sins walk in the light these are requirements that will make us a better christian

 

[Chopper]

A good presentation Kidron. Such a reminder is certainly needed in this day of false teachers. Thank you for the Truth.

 

[atpollard]

1 John 1:5-10 NASB
5 This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

The whole paragraph speaks of a dichotomy. A binary set of choices ... Light or Darkness.

In the Darkness are those who deny their sin and, therefore have no perceived need of Jesus or any other savior. They are content to walk in the Darkness and will, therefore, shun the Light.

In the Light are those who acknowledge their sin, and their need for a savior (Jesus Christ). Those in the light have been cleansed by the blood of Christ and now walk in the LIGHT (and more important, have a new heart that desires to walk in the Light thanks to the new heart given by God through the Holy Spirit.)

It seems to me that verses 7 and 9 are contrasting with verses 8 and 10.
There are those (v.7,9) who walk in the light, have fellowship, confess their sins, and are cleansed by the blood of the Son and forgiven.
There are others (v.8,10) who say they have no sin, deceive themselves, make God a liar, and have neither truth nor His word in them.

God bless.