A Daily Walk

John Randall: By walking in fellowship and obedience to the Lord and to His word, there's joy. It's when you're living outside of God's word and God's will, there's not a lot of joy there because you know you're outside of it.

But then also, the Bible connects joy to a life of prayer. John chapter 16 verse 24, where it says, "Until now you've asked nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive." Why? "That your joy may be full." A prayer life, just communing with the Lord through prayer, there's such joy just being able to talk to God anywhere, all the time.

Guest (Male): It is time once again for A Daily Walk, where you never have to walk alone. Today Pastor John Randall continues our new series in 1 John. This five-chapter letter reveals the truth about how we can have a relationship with God and what can hinder that too.

Did you know God desires to have fellowship with you? No matter your past, He is able to forgive you and lead you into the joy of the Lord. Let's turn now to 1 John chapter 1 and learn how to experience the joy of the Lord and fellowship with God.

John Randall: John gives a personal proclamation in verse 3. He says it again: we've seen it, we've heard it, we declare it to you. Why is it that we're declaring it to you? This is why: that you may have fellowship with us, and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ.

We're not delivering to you hearsay or tradition, not conjecture. We've had the fullest certainty of all that we write and we preach. We've seen it, we've heard it, and then he says the words, "We proclaim it to you." The word proclaim suggests the thought of passing on to others what has been given to you.

In the present context, the idea is that John is announcing or reporting or proclaiming openly his testimony concerning Jesus. It is used in the present tense, which describes a continuous activity. This is what we are to be doing, by the way: proclaiming to the world who Jesus is. This is why the church is still here—for this purpose.

To proclaim Christ, to let people know who Jesus is, what Jesus has done, that Jesus is coming again—this should be our business, to proclaim it. Is it our business to proclaim it? Friends, do we proclaim and declare what we have seen and heard in the work of Christ in our own lives? Or do we keep it to ourselves? Do we share it with others? I'd encourage you: share it, declare it. He's worthy of it. Proclaim it.

The apostle writes this letter to the believers who were bombarded by false teaching and peddling of Gnostic heresy, and he proclaims the truth to them—what he's seen and what he's heard, in order that they would have fellowship. John was confident that this truth that was being proclaimed would lead to the production of fellowship. That's what it would produce: fellowship.

It's an interesting word, fellowship. Sometimes for Christians, fellowship is reduced to donuts and coffee. We're going to have fellowship. No, we're going to get fat, but still, we're going to do that. Fellowship is much more than that. The word *koinonia*, there's not really an English equivalent for it, but it means partnership, participation with, fellowship.

John says, "I'm writing this to you so that you can have fellowship, participation, connection to the living God." This to me is just astounding. Think of it, friend, that the God who created the universe, the living God, desires fellowship and communion with us. He made it possible through the work of Christ.

This is the good news, because of sin, we were separated from God. We didn't have fellowship with God. There was no connection with Him. We were completely separated. We're unholy, ungodly. We cannot approach a holy God. So what do we do? Jesus came and He alone bridged the gap. He's the one who allowed us now to have fellowship with God.

Fellowship is restored. It had been broken in the garden. Sin was passed on to all men. There is no fellowship until Christ came and opened up the way whereby we could have fellowship with God. But I just want you to know today, that's something God desires with you: fellowship, communion, close relationship.

Some people are content to be basically acquainted with God. But the Lord wants more than just that, to be your acquaintance. He wants to be your closest friend. Fellowship. In Revelation chapter 3, you remember John declared it in writing there to the churches, speaking on behalf of the Lord.

The Lord said, "Behold, I stand at the door and I knock. And if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come into him and I will dine with him and he with me." Basically, this is an invitation to fellowship. Jesus is saying, "I'm at the door of your heart today, right now, knocking and saying, 'Open the door.'"

Sorry, Jesus, I can't let you in right now. I've got to do some stuff. What do you mean? Open the door. He just wants to come in and have fellowship with you. Will you open the door? Has the door been opened or is it locked? You know, there's a lock on the inside. He's not going to huff and puff and blow the door down. He's going to knock, and then if you open it, He'll come in. He just wants fellowship.

He desires relationship with us. In 1 Corinthians chapter 1 verse 9, it says, "God is faithful, by whom you were called into fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord." I'm always amazed that the Lord knows everything about me and yet He wants to be my friend. He wants to have fellowship with me.

I'm in awe of that fact because I know me, and I'm so thankful for God's grace. It's when you recognize who Jesus is and what Jesus has done for you that you really can then enter into fellowship and relationship with Him. And John tells us, here we pick up in that first reason. What's the first reason that John wrote this epistle? So that your joy may be full.

Exactly what he said. Exactly what he meant. Yes, that you would be full of joy. Verse 4: "And these things we write to you that your joy may be full." When I was a little boy, as far back as I can remember, joy was defined in this way: J-O-Y, Jesus, Others, then You. It's when you put Jesus first in your life, and others second, and yourself at the back, that you really start to experience joy.

When it's reversed, it's so much less than that. But real joy is Jesus, others, and then you. And by the way, joy and happiness, you know they're different from one another because happiness is a variable. Joy is a constant. Happiness is so often based upon circumstance or upon what happens, whether I'm happy. It really depends on how I'm doing.

Whereas joy is based upon my relationship with God, and God is consistent. He does not change. He's the same yesterday, today, and forever. The term is He is immutable. He does not change. Therefore, joy in relationship to Him can be a constant. It's not a variable.

Joy is a quality or a byproduct of the work of the Spirit in my life. Now, I may not be joyful for all things. I'm not fake. I'm not really excited that my car just broke down—praise God! It's not like I'm joyful in it, but I can find joy in the midst of it. Praise God I didn't get in an accident. So the car doesn't work. Well, at least I didn't get hit. You can find reasons to rejoice.

When you read through some of John's other writings, you will find that he also does emphasize this theme, this thought of joy, more than once. You remember in John chapter 3, he talks about a life that is associated with being committed to Jesus. John chapter 3 verse 29 says, "He who has the bride is the bridegroom, but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled."

The words of John the Baptist, of course, talking about his relationship to Jesus. My joy is fulfilled in my relationship to the Lord. Also, joy can be associated with obedience. I think of John chapter 15 where Jesus declared, "If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in His love. And these things I have spoken to you that my joy may remain in you and that your joy may be full."

There it is again. By walking in fellowship and obedience to the Lord and to His word, there's joy. It's when you're living outside of God's word and God's will, there's not a lot of joy there because you know you're outside of it. But then also, the Bible connects joy to a life of prayer. John chapter 16 verse 24, where it says, "Until now you've asked nothing in my name. Ask and you will receive." Why? "That your joy may be full."

A prayer life, just communing with the Lord through prayer, there's such joy just being able to talk to God anywhere, all the time. The word of God can bring joy to your life, and I will add to this, because the scripture mentions it, the joy of the Lord can be your strength. It's your strength. Maybe today you came in not very happy. There are some things going on that are just real.

They're real circumstances that are difficult to process, that are hard to handle. Can I say to you, there is joy in the midst of it. There are things to rejoice in. There are things to praise God for, things to be joyful for. In fact, the Bible does say to us, you remember the passage: rejoice in the Lord sometimes. No, it doesn't say that. Come on, that was a test. It actually says, "Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice."

Oh, you know it. Man, you guys must read the word. Yeah, rejoice in the Lord always. I wish I could say I always did, but it's a choice to rejoice, a decision that is made. So John tells us: this is why we're writing. We just want you to be full of joy. We want you to have fellowship with the Lord. We want your joy to be full.

And verse 5: "This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all." From the very beginning of creation, God made a distinction between light and darkness. Ever notice that? This is light, this is darkness. There's always been a distinction from the beginning, and there is still a distinction even now.

When we speak of light, we're talking about that which is pure, that which is holy, that which is godly. When we're speaking of darkness, we're talking about sin and the flesh, etc. So there is a distinction made. And when it relates to God, God is light. There is no impurity, no inconsistency, no sin. He is pure light. There's no darkness in Him at all.

The Bible reminds us of light being symbolic of several things that come to mind. First of all, light is often associated with, connected to, God's glory. God's glory. It says in Matthew chapter 17 in verse 1, "After six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother and he led them up on a high mountain by themselves. He was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun and his clothes became white as light."

It was there on the Mount of Transfiguration where Jesus was radiating light and it represented His glory. And that is why Peter and John would write later on, "We were there on the mountain and we saw His glory revealed." Light shining out of him. The Bible tells us that in heaven there's no need of the sun because the glory of God is so radiant, that's all you need. No more sun, just the glory of God shining. Pure light.

It reminds us also, I think when you think of light in scripture, it reminds us that it illuminates darkness. "Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path." God's word provides illumination. But the Lord is light, and light also exposes darkness. You shine light in dark places and it reveals what's actually there.

When you wake up in the morning and you go to the mirror and you turn on the light, you're like, "Wow, turn it off, turn it off." Suddenly it just reveals, the light's on, you're like, "Wow, what happened last night? I just slept and woke up this way." Furthermore, light gives warmth. It gives direction. Jesus said concerning Himself that He was the light of the world and that we should follow Him and not walk in darkness.

God is light. If we are to have fellowship with the God who is light and there is no darkness at all, then that means we don't walk in darkness. And that is in the next verse. John says, and here's where John gets really to the point. This is the first of several times John will use this phrase, "If we say." That is, if we say this but we do that, it's actually a contradiction.

Notice this: John says in verse 6, "If we say we have fellowship with Him, and at the same time walk in darkness, we lie and we don't practice the truth." Here again, a directed comment toward those who were living a life of sin. When John uses the phrase "walk in darkness," he basically means your manner of living, the way that you live. That's what it refers to. If you walk, you live, in darkness.

But at the same time, the contradiction is, "I know the Lord. I'm a Christian. I walk in darkness." Whoa. If God is light and in Him there's no darkness at all, and you're a child of the light and you're the light of the world, then what would you be doing in darkness? Something is inconsistent. To walk in darkness means to live in a continual life of sin.

And yet John says, there are people who are saying, "I know the Lord. Of course I know the Lord. I'm a Christian. Are you kidding me? Of course I do. I don't live like it, but I am." And here John says, if you say that, if that is the manner of living, here's what you need to understand. This is the text, it's not me. You know what John says here about that person? You're a liar.

It says it. I'm saying it here. "Pastor John called me a liar." No, John the apostle called you that. Yeah, you lie and you don't practice the truth. There is this inconsistency. John just truthfully says it, lovingly said it. You're lying. You're lying to yourself and you're lying to everybody else and trying to lie to God. But light and darkness are the same to Him, so He sees and you're not pulling anything over on Him.

You might be able to fool other people, but you can't fool God. You're living a lie. You say all the right things, you speak "Christianese." You're like, that's a language? Praise God, bless the Lord, Hallelujah. You need me to pray for you? Of course I will. You filled with the Spirit? Sanctified, set apart, redeemed. I mean, come on, you know all the words.

How's your eschatology? What's soteriology? How's your apologetic stance on this? I mean, you got it down, brother or sister. But when you leave this place, it doesn't make sense. There is this contradiction, there is this inconsistency. You run right back into whatever it was before. So if you say this but you do that, then that would mean you lie.

I say that I love God, but someone says, "I know the Lord. I say that I love the Lord, but I abuse my wife." Well, you are a liar. Because if you love God, you'd love your wife. Something's not right. I say I love God, I know the Lord, but I live in a state of bondage to pornography. There is something wrong there. Something has to change. Repentance. For fellowship to be restored, there's got to be a turn.

And you could fill in the blanks, but I say this but I go out and I do that. "I love the Lord," someone says, "but I sleep with my girlfriend or my boyfriend." You do not walk with the Lord if you do that. You're actually lying to yourself. You're being deceived. And the culture says it's acceptable, and the world says it's honorable and don't worry about it, when the Bible says, actually, you lie. You lie.

You know, it's interesting when you read John. He gets really to the point and it's not really nice to call somebody a liar. But John again is saying this because he loves the people. J. Vernon McGee, in his commentary on 1 John, pointed out how John did not mince words throughout this epistle. And that sadly, some throughout history have tried to make John out to be some wimpy apostle who carried a handkerchief in his sleeves and flowers in his hair, he said.

And because he was the disciple whom Jesus loved, he was just this wimpy guy. And McGee, just as a funny side note here, he said somewhere down the Middle Ages, some artist painted John with curls. And that when that artist gets to heaven, he's going to meet the apostle John on Heaven Boulevard, and John's going to say, "What's the big idea, painting me with curls?"

The reason why he was saying that was because John is just hammering it. He's bringing it right to the forefront. He's not messing around. He's calling a spade a spade, calling it what it is. He's not playing. The truth is, John said tough things and uncomfortable things that were hard to receive in this letter.

But he's claiming the individual that says they have fellowship with God but at the same time orders their behavior within the sphere of sin doesn't really understand what it means to have fellowship with God. Furthermore, are they a Christian? He said they're lying. And the fact is there are some, and maybe some of us—and I would include myself in this category—there was a day, praise God, so long ago, that that was my life.

I could say Jesus's name in church, around Christian people, and then say it in vain outside with people of the world. That's just inconsistency. I was lying to myself, self-deceived, until Jesus got ahold of my heart and brought me out of darkness and into light. And if you are still in darkness today, hey, I want to encourage you: come out of darkness. Come into the light today.

There is nothing there in darkness but darkness. Come into the light. Don't be lying to yourself anymore. Repent. Walk in the truth. Let the truth set you free today. It's a whole different life when you actually walk in close fellowship with Jesus versus not walking. In fact, in Titus, Paul wrote to Titus and he said concerning some, they profess to know God but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, disqualified for every good work.

John says concerning these, the problem is they don't practice the truth. They don't live in the truth. They lie. And if that's you, I would encourage you today: fellowship can be restored today, but you need to repent. You need to come into the light. Finally, John says this, and this is the contrast. Thank you that there's a contrast.

But, here's the other side. Flip the coin. "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light," oh, "we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." Thank You, Lord. If we walk in the light with Him, we have fellowship with one another.

It's really hard to have fellowship with believers who have fellowship with the Lord if you're not in fellowship with the Lord. Have you ever experienced that? "I just don't feel comfortable around Christians." Why? Because I'm not walking with the Lord. I don't like to be around light when I'm in darkness. It hurts my eyes.

But what a difference it is when you're walking in the light and you have fellowship with one another and, more importantly, we have fellowship with the Lord and my sins are cleansed, I'm washed. How? By the blood of Jesus. And I love what John says here: it says He cleanses us from—I love this word, I have it underlined—all sin. All. Not just some, but all.

Where are you walking today? Are you walking in darkness, claiming to walk in light? Or are you walking in light with the one where there is no darkness at all? God is light. In Him there's no darkness at all. And if I walk in the light, I have fellowship.