From God's Perspective: "No Darkness in Jesus"
John 1:4-9
" In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understoodit. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world." (NIV)
The Bible said: "There is no darkness in God or Jesus. What does this really mean?
This phrase means that by God’s very nature, there is absolutely no darkness in his character. There cannot be any darkness in Him because God is the very source of real wisdom, knowledge, holiness and happiness. There is no inkling of ignorance, no trace of sinfulness, imperfection or misery. "God is light" (the essence and illumination of life and all that is, that was, and is to come) and this means that within the very being of God is everything purity is, knowledge both revealed and unrevealed will ever be, trhe personification of perfection and everything grace projects and truth embodies. In Galatians 5: 22- 23, God’s character is embodied in the “fruit of the Spirit". Each one of these "fruit" ("Holy Attributes") are embodiesd in the "light" of God. "Darkness" by its very definition is the "opposite" of light. "Darkness" represents everything imperfect, everything that brings misery, strife, sin and destruction." Darkness" is the "error of perception" and it distorts everything that comes through our senses on all 3 levels: physical, psychological, as well as spiritually.
" Light" in the Scriptures is defined as "the emblem of purity, truth, knowledge, prosperity, and happiness" as darkness is of the opposite. John said that "God is light" not the light, not a light, but light itself; that is, he is all light. God is the source and fountain of light in all worlds. He is perfectly pure, without any admixture of sin. He has all knowledge, (Omniscient) with no admixture of ignorance on any subject. He is infinitely happy, with nothing to make him miserable. He is infinitely true, never stating or countenancing error; He is blessed in all his ways, never knowing the darkness of disappointment and adversity. What light is in the natural world, comparatively, God, the source of even material light, is in the spiritual world. God is the fountain of wisdom, purity, beauty, joy, and glory. Just like all material life and growth depend on light, in the same manner, so does all spiritual life and growth depend on God.
The “light” expression here is designed to affirm that God is absolutely perfect; that there is nothing in him which is in any way imperfect, or which would dim or mar the pure splendor of his character, not even as much as the smallest spot would on the sun. The language is probably designed to guard the mind from an error to which it is prone, that of charging God with being the Author of the sin and misery which exist on the earth; and the apostle seems to design to teach that whatever was the source of sin and misery, it was not in any sense to be charged on God. In "this doctrine" that God is a pure light, John has laid down as the substance of all that he had to teach; of all that he had learned from him (Jesus) who was made flesh. It is, in fact, the fountain of all just views of truth on the subject of religion, and all proper views of religion take their origin from this.
In the Gospel of John 1:4- 9, The Apostle John lets us know that in Jesus, there was life, and this life was the “light” of men. The light of Jesus shone in the darkness of this world and the darkness that’s in this world could not understand his light. God even sent a “forerunner to Jesus, John the Baptist to bear witness; to testify about Jesus, the Light of the world that men might believe in him. John the Baptist knew that he was not the light and said so when he was asked by the religious leaders to identify himself. John the Baptist reaffirmed that Jesus gave light (eternal life) to all men who would believe in him.
Question: Can a person can have fellowship with God (who is light) and still walk in darkness?
No. A person will break their fellowship with God if that person continually walks in willful sin and darkness.
The "good news" is, as sad as this "dispicable act" of walking in darkness is, does not cause that person to lose their salvation in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Let me explain:
There is a difference between what is called the “standing” of a person and the “state” or "status" of a person in relationship with God. Another way of putting it is there is a difference between a person’s judicial position with God and their spiritual condition in God (Christ). A person’s " judicial position" with God depends on whether that person has professed Jesus Christ as their personal savior or not. A person can only have fellowship with God the Father through Jesus Christ. Jesus said that no one can approach the Father but through Him. A person’s "spiritual condition" in God (Christ) depends on whether that person lives through the “new nature” ( that is if they are "Holy Spirit" controlled) or do they continually walk in the flesh of his old nature. We battle 2 distinct natures: One is "Carnal" (The flesh) and the other is "Spiritual". Because we battle these two natures within our very being (Romans 7:1- 25) and the fact that God will not have fellowship with sin, it's extremely imperative that we lean upon our “advocate” who has the closest relationship with God the Father (Son), Jesus Christ. It means that we must daily confess our faults to our advocate to avoid a “broken fellowship” with God.
Secondly, it means that we are to do what 1 Corinthians 11: 31- 32 admonishes us to do: “If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged". "But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world". "Part of God's chastisement" for continually walking in darkness is a broken fellowship with God that hinders our spiritual growth and our covenant relation. It is good to note that "even though our standing (judicial position) with God (salvation) is secured, our status (carnal spiritual condition) keeps us at arm’s length from God". As a result, we remain in a “dwarf” state "spiritually", always searching for God only when we are in a crisis state, but never becoming the disciple/teacher God intended us to be because we refuse to submit to his will fully and relinquish our will’s desire.
"Righteousness" has no fellowship with "unrighteousness". Holiness is never in league with evil. To live our lives contra-wise to the way of God places us under condemnation, even though we still have salvation. This means that the carnal mind that influences our walking in unrighteousness is at odds with God. It even explains why the “foolishness” of preaching sometimes confounds many who claim to be wise. "A person can have bouts with sin and will on occasion walk in darkness even though they have professed Christ as their Savior". The problem is they have not fully submitted to Christ and made him their Lord. The Apostle John said in the Gospel of John 1: 5 that the light (Jesus Christ) shined into the darkness (the world and its system) and the darkness (the world and its system) comprehended it not. When a person walks in darkness, they don’t really have a clue as to what’s really going on in their life. That person tries to “lean” to their understanding and does not acknowledge the Lord in all of their ways. The person does not seek direction from Jesus. They will ask other people’s advice that they know or will become fiercely independent to the point that they refuse advice or direction from anyone. If a person is truly submitted in Christ; a person leaning and trusting in Jesus Christ with a “saving” faith and acknowledges Him in all of their ways, they will not strive to walk in darkness at all!
Christian that is out of fellowship with God has no perspective of where they are going in life. He also stated that a person who breaks their fellowship with God is one who doesn’t keep the commandments of God and fails to walk in obedience on a daily basis. It stands to reason that anybody who fails to walk in obedience with God is either out of fellowship or is not saved. The tragedy of a Christian that’s out of fellowship with God is that person will also have a very difficult time being in fellowship with other believers. You can see that in the following perspectives:
A. The professing person's relationship with other believing Christians will be strained.
Jesus said: "He is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now". He that professes to be a convert to Christianity, even in the lowest degree; and hates his brother, meaning, that they not only does not love him, but also wills to and does him evil, the same way the Jews did toward the Gentiles not only is in darkness, but, they haven’t received any saving knowledge of the truth. "The basis of true religion is love". A person doesn’t have true religion unless he has love to the brethren. The command to love one another in John 15:17 was one of the most solemn and earnest which Christ ever implored us to do. He made it the “special badge” of discipleship, (John 13:35) by which every one of his followers were to be known by everywhere. It is, therefore, impossible to have any true religion without love to those who are sincerely and truly his followers. If a man doesn’t have that, he is in deep darkness, whatever else he may have, on the whole subject of religion.
B. Love will permeate an obedient man.
The Christian that exemplifies love toward his fellow man epitomizes a person that has "pure religion". There is no “scandal” in him. This means that they won’t show a malicious behavior toward anyone. They will strive to take the proper course of action in response to their brother in the faith. Their actions will be with true benevolence, void of malice or jealousy. He will have no envy toward them in their prosperity, and will not be disposed to detract from their reputation in adversity; he will have no feelings of exaltation when they fall, and will not be disposed to take advantage of their misfortunes; and, loving them as brethren, he will be in no respect under temptation to do them wrong.
C. The Bitter and Hating man eyes will be blinded and lost.
Verse 11 says if a person hates his brother, 4 things will be evident: First, the scripture says that the person lives in darkness. Second, the manner in which that person live, act and interact with others will be shrouded in darkness because they will walk in darkness. Third, a person who hates his brother and is bitter towards him will be cloudy in their knowledge of what true love (agape) is and how it function. This means that they will not have a clear vision of where they are going in this life because they are not walking in the love of God. Fourth, that darkness that has engulfed that person has blinded the eyes (the person’s perspective) on how to love his brother.
John 1:4-9
" In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understoodit. There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world." (NIV)
The Bible said: "There is no darkness in God or Jesus. What does this really mean?
This phrase means that by God’s very nature, there is absolutely no darkness in his character. There cannot be any darkness in Him because God is the very source of real wisdom, knowledge, holiness and happiness. There is no inkling of ignorance, no trace of sinfulness, imperfection or misery. "God is light" (the essence and illumination of life and all that is, that was, and is to come) and this means that within the very being of God is everything purity is, knowledge both revealed and unrevealed will ever be, trhe personification of perfection and everything grace projects and truth embodies. In Galatians 5: 22- 23, God’s character is embodied in the “fruit of the Spirit". Each one of these "fruit" ("Holy Attributes") are embodiesd in the "light" of God. "Darkness" by its very definition is the "opposite" of light. "Darkness" represents everything imperfect, everything that brings misery, strife, sin and destruction." Darkness" is the "error of perception" and it distorts everything that comes through our senses on all 3 levels: physical, psychological, as well as spiritually.
" Light" in the Scriptures is defined as "the emblem of purity, truth, knowledge, prosperity, and happiness" as darkness is of the opposite. John said that "God is light" not the light, not a light, but light itself; that is, he is all light. God is the source and fountain of light in all worlds. He is perfectly pure, without any admixture of sin. He has all knowledge, (Omniscient) with no admixture of ignorance on any subject. He is infinitely happy, with nothing to make him miserable. He is infinitely true, never stating or countenancing error; He is blessed in all his ways, never knowing the darkness of disappointment and adversity. What light is in the natural world, comparatively, God, the source of even material light, is in the spiritual world. God is the fountain of wisdom, purity, beauty, joy, and glory. Just like all material life and growth depend on light, in the same manner, so does all spiritual life and growth depend on God.
The “light” expression here is designed to affirm that God is absolutely perfect; that there is nothing in him which is in any way imperfect, or which would dim or mar the pure splendor of his character, not even as much as the smallest spot would on the sun. The language is probably designed to guard the mind from an error to which it is prone, that of charging God with being the Author of the sin and misery which exist on the earth; and the apostle seems to design to teach that whatever was the source of sin and misery, it was not in any sense to be charged on God. In "this doctrine" that God is a pure light, John has laid down as the substance of all that he had to teach; of all that he had learned from him (Jesus) who was made flesh. It is, in fact, the fountain of all just views of truth on the subject of religion, and all proper views of religion take their origin from this.
In the Gospel of John 1:4- 9, The Apostle John lets us know that in Jesus, there was life, and this life was the “light” of men. The light of Jesus shone in the darkness of this world and the darkness that’s in this world could not understand his light. God even sent a “forerunner to Jesus, John the Baptist to bear witness; to testify about Jesus, the Light of the world that men might believe in him. John the Baptist knew that he was not the light and said so when he was asked by the religious leaders to identify himself. John the Baptist reaffirmed that Jesus gave light (eternal life) to all men who would believe in him.
Question: Can a person can have fellowship with God (who is light) and still walk in darkness?
No. A person will break their fellowship with God if that person continually walks in willful sin and darkness.
The "good news" is, as sad as this "dispicable act" of walking in darkness is, does not cause that person to lose their salvation in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Let me explain:
There is a difference between what is called the “standing” of a person and the “state” or "status" of a person in relationship with God. Another way of putting it is there is a difference between a person’s judicial position with God and their spiritual condition in God (Christ). A person’s " judicial position" with God depends on whether that person has professed Jesus Christ as their personal savior or not. A person can only have fellowship with God the Father through Jesus Christ. Jesus said that no one can approach the Father but through Him. A person’s "spiritual condition" in God (Christ) depends on whether that person lives through the “new nature” ( that is if they are "Holy Spirit" controlled) or do they continually walk in the flesh of his old nature. We battle 2 distinct natures: One is "Carnal" (The flesh) and the other is "Spiritual". Because we battle these two natures within our very being (Romans 7:1- 25) and the fact that God will not have fellowship with sin, it's extremely imperative that we lean upon our “advocate” who has the closest relationship with God the Father (Son), Jesus Christ. It means that we must daily confess our faults to our advocate to avoid a “broken fellowship” with God.
Secondly, it means that we are to do what 1 Corinthians 11: 31- 32 admonishes us to do: “If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged". "But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world". "Part of God's chastisement" for continually walking in darkness is a broken fellowship with God that hinders our spiritual growth and our covenant relation. It is good to note that "even though our standing (judicial position) with God (salvation) is secured, our status (carnal spiritual condition) keeps us at arm’s length from God". As a result, we remain in a “dwarf” state "spiritually", always searching for God only when we are in a crisis state, but never becoming the disciple/teacher God intended us to be because we refuse to submit to his will fully and relinquish our will’s desire.
"Righteousness" has no fellowship with "unrighteousness". Holiness is never in league with evil. To live our lives contra-wise to the way of God places us under condemnation, even though we still have salvation. This means that the carnal mind that influences our walking in unrighteousness is at odds with God. It even explains why the “foolishness” of preaching sometimes confounds many who claim to be wise. "A person can have bouts with sin and will on occasion walk in darkness even though they have professed Christ as their Savior". The problem is they have not fully submitted to Christ and made him their Lord. The Apostle John said in the Gospel of John 1: 5 that the light (Jesus Christ) shined into the darkness (the world and its system) and the darkness (the world and its system) comprehended it not. When a person walks in darkness, they don’t really have a clue as to what’s really going on in their life. That person tries to “lean” to their understanding and does not acknowledge the Lord in all of their ways. The person does not seek direction from Jesus. They will ask other people’s advice that they know or will become fiercely independent to the point that they refuse advice or direction from anyone. If a person is truly submitted in Christ; a person leaning and trusting in Jesus Christ with a “saving” faith and acknowledges Him in all of their ways, they will not strive to walk in darkness at all!
Christian that is out of fellowship with God has no perspective of where they are going in life. He also stated that a person who breaks their fellowship with God is one who doesn’t keep the commandments of God and fails to walk in obedience on a daily basis. It stands to reason that anybody who fails to walk in obedience with God is either out of fellowship or is not saved. The tragedy of a Christian that’s out of fellowship with God is that person will also have a very difficult time being in fellowship with other believers. You can see that in the following perspectives:
A. The professing person's relationship with other believing Christians will be strained.
Jesus said: "He is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness even until now". He that professes to be a convert to Christianity, even in the lowest degree; and hates his brother, meaning, that they not only does not love him, but also wills to and does him evil, the same way the Jews did toward the Gentiles not only is in darkness, but, they haven’t received any saving knowledge of the truth. "The basis of true religion is love". A person doesn’t have true religion unless he has love to the brethren. The command to love one another in John 15:17 was one of the most solemn and earnest which Christ ever implored us to do. He made it the “special badge” of discipleship, (John 13:35) by which every one of his followers were to be known by everywhere. It is, therefore, impossible to have any true religion without love to those who are sincerely and truly his followers. If a man doesn’t have that, he is in deep darkness, whatever else he may have, on the whole subject of religion.
B. Love will permeate an obedient man.
The Christian that exemplifies love toward his fellow man epitomizes a person that has "pure religion". There is no “scandal” in him. This means that they won’t show a malicious behavior toward anyone. They will strive to take the proper course of action in response to their brother in the faith. Their actions will be with true benevolence, void of malice or jealousy. He will have no envy toward them in their prosperity, and will not be disposed to detract from their reputation in adversity; he will have no feelings of exaltation when they fall, and will not be disposed to take advantage of their misfortunes; and, loving them as brethren, he will be in no respect under temptation to do them wrong.
C. The Bitter and Hating man eyes will be blinded and lost.
Verse 11 says if a person hates his brother, 4 things will be evident: First, the scripture says that the person lives in darkness. Second, the manner in which that person live, act and interact with others will be shrouded in darkness because they will walk in darkness. Third, a person who hates his brother and is bitter towards him will be cloudy in their knowledge of what true love (agape) is and how it function. This means that they will not have a clear vision of where they are going in this life because they are not walking in the love of God. Fourth, that darkness that has engulfed that person has blinded the eyes (the person’s perspective) on how to love his brother.
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