READ 1 John 1:1-10 (ESV)
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life. 2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us— 3 that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he 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 we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
REFLECT
Main Idea: This passage is a call to move from facade to fellowship.
Main verse: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.
“Walk in the light”
What does it mean to walk in the light?
Why does it matter that we walk in the light?
What does walking in the light look like?
RESPOND (Self Examination and Application)
Self Examination
What sins are you hiding that you’re too ashamed or afraid to expose?
What impact has hiding your sin had on your relationship with God and others? What impact is wearing a facade having on your spiritual growth?
What would change in your relationship with God and others if you confessed these sins to God and others (using wisdom and discretion)?
Application
Pray Psalm 139 23-23 (ESV) “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me and lead me in the way everlasting!”
First, pray that God would give you wisdom and discernment to find a couple of mature brothers or sisters in Christ to confess your sins to and have pray with you. Then take action to confess the sins you’re hiding to those brothers/sisters. Pray that God would help you be a mature and trustworthy brother/sister in Christ for someone that needs to confess their sins.
