In 1 John 1:5-6 John the apostle says “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

In this verse, what does “light” mean?

In the Bible, light often refers to wisdom. It “illuminates” our understanding.

It can also refer to purity or holiness.

It also provides clarity. Let’s say you’re stumbling around in a dark room banging your knee on something every two seconds. When someone turns the light on you have clarity about what is around you.

Wisdom. Purity. Clarity.

Reflecting on these verses, Matthew Henry says that in God there is nothing “contrary to absolute excellency.”*

In the next verse John says this: “If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” Makes sense. For example, if I volunteer for an organization that is committed to preserving rivers, but then in my spare time pour paint in those same rivers, there is a disconnect—I’m not being consistent. That’s what John is saying in these verses. If we believe in and follow the God of light but walk in darkness “we lie and do not practice the truth.”

If you’re like me you probably read this and do two things. First, you probably agree with it. Second, you realize that you often fall short. Join the club!

The key thing here is to be honest. Don’t pretend darkness is light. When we stray off course, let’s admit it, confess our sin to a merciful God, and re-commit to following Christ, asking for the Spirit’s help in the process.

Wisdom. Purity. Clarity.

“God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”

---

Notes:

-“Yes to light, No to darkness.” Click here. Sermon. 

-Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible – Volume 6: Acts to Revelation (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1991), 856.

-Bible quotes are from the ESV.