Walking in the Light: Getting a Tan or Getting Sweaty? – 1 John 1:7

“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” (1 John 1:7, HCSB).

There’s a saying we use quite often in religious circles to describe one’s spiritual transformation. We say “I’ve seen the light.”

In this verse the Apostle John clarifies that being a disciple of Jesus is not just a matter of seeing the light but rather walking in the light.

Is John saying we have to act in a certain way to earn our salvation? Absolutely not!

But John says that being cleansed from sin and being part of the fellowship of all those who are followers of Jesus requires us to walk in the Light.

Think of it like this. If Jesus is the Light, then how does that light impact you? Are you just trying to get a little tan or are you working up a sweat?

There may be those who are following Jesus for what it can benefit them. For what God can do for them. They want to bask in the Light at their convenience so that it’s glow gives them a little tan…

Makes them look like they have been exposed to the Light.

But John tells us that following Jesus is a 24/7 walking around thing! We have to do what Jesus did, walk as He walked! “The one who says he remains in Him should walk just as He walked” (vs. 2:8).

We have to be willing to get out there and do something for Jesus, live like He showed us and taught us, maybe even work up a little sweat, even get a little burn, from His Light shining on us!

In other words, we must continuously make conscious decisions about conducting ourselves in ways that keep us in God’s light and keep us out of the darkness of the world.

To be a disciple of Jesus, you have to walk the walk, not just talk the talk.

And, walking in the Light you may have to get a little sweaty, not just get a little tan!