God is light: Reflection Questions

For a recap of the background to John’s first letter (not the Gospel of John). Please read:

We know, from various sources, that the apostle John cared for a number of churches in modern day Turkey. His base was in Ephesus. Reliable tradition has it that he continued to lead and care for churches, well into his old age, into the reign off emperor Trajan (98-117 AD). Drawing this background together, we can build a picture of John- the apostle that once encountered Jesus on the shore of Galilee, followed him for three years, became an eyewitness to his resurrection. John, a man who exercised care over a network of churches in the pagan world. As an apostle he conveyed teaching that carried the authority of Jesus, and he himself was a living link to Jesus’ days on earth.

By 80AD, as an older man, he had entered the last stretch of his ministry, and so he took the opportunity to impresses upon next generations the good news and its implications. The truth & how to walk, to live, in it. John wrote a circular letter (1 John), to be passed around his network of churches in his care, for this purpose (1 John 5.13).

1. Discussion Question

In 1 John 1.5-2.6, the Apostle uses the metaphor of light to describe God and the way of discipleship. 

Let us reflect on the metaphor of light-darkness. Can you remember a time when you were in a very dark place: perhaps camping in the bush without street or city lights? Perhaps a time when the power went out in your street and you had to live for a few hours in darkness? What was it like moving around, what were the risks?

What was it like, then, when the sun rose in the bush, or your power was restored in the night at home? What was it like when the lights were turned on?

2. Read Psalm 119.129-136. What stands out to you in your first reading of this portion of Psalm 119? 

3. In Psalm 119 v130, the Psalmist says that ‘light’ comes from God’s word to us. We can use the immediate context to understand what this light is. 

What light comes from the word, according to v130?

What comes from the word, according to v133?

What comes from the word, according to v137-138?

4. Psalm 119.129-136 is just one example of many in the Scriptures. Light refers to the truth and the goodness/righteousness of God. Light is the truth and goodness that shine from God through his word and guide us.

Psalm 119:105    ‘Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.’

Ps 119.135 ‘Make your face shine on your servant  and teach me your decrees.’

Discussion Question 

Can you share an example of a time when God’s word has given you light, that is: understanding of God’s good, life giving ways?

5. Complete as many of the spaces in this table as you can, indicating the attributes/behaviours/experiences of those who walk in the light, compared to those who walk in darkness. 

	Attributes/behaviour/ experience of those who walk in the light	Attributes/behaviour/ experience of those who walk in darkness
1 John 1.6-7
1 John 1.8-10
1 John 2.1-2
1 John 2.3-6

6. Consider- we are forgiven in three ways. Namely: soul cleansed; defended before the judge of the earth; & God’s holy anger is turned away. 

Read the following: those who walk in the light are not perfect, but they do confess to God and find forgiveness. John describes three truths about the forgiveness that we (who repent) have in Jesus. 

The first truth- in Jesus our inner person is cleansed:

1 John 1.7 ‘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, purifies us from all sin.’

The second truth- Jesus is our advocate: 

1 John 2.1 ‘…we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.’

An advocate is someone who speaks up and saves you from judgement in a law court, a defence lawyer. Jesus is our advocate, our defence lawyer, who saves us from divine judgment.

The third truth: Jesus is our atoning sacrifice… 

1 John 2.2 ‘He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins…’

The blood of Jesus is the sacrifice that absorbs God’s holy displeasure, God’s holy anger at our sin… so that our relationship with God is healed. That’s what atonement means in the bible (eg. Romans 1.18, 3.25). That’s what the Greek behind ‘atoning sacrifice’ means in 1 John 2.2.

You see friends, God is passionately involved in our lives. He deeply cares about whether we love him and serve neighbour, or not. When we don’t, his love becomes a holy anger. Not an unreasonable anger. Not a vicious displeasure. Not a fickle or easily aroused anger. No. Don’t liken his anger to man’s anger. God’s anger is measured, righteous, and motivated by love. God’s anger is fair, taking into account our limitations. Our sin arouses this anger, so we, his people, need an atoning sacrifice. A sacrifice that can absorb that anger. A sacrifice that can heal our relationship with God. Jesus is that sacrifice. A sacrifice that is so powerful as to be enough to atone for all people if they turn to God in Christ, John says (1 John 2.2).

Prayer: If you are a person who confesses and turns to Jesus, you are forgiven in three ways: soul cleansed; defended before the judge of the earth; God’s holy anger is turned away from you. Take some time to thank God for each of these three truths about our forgiveness.