1 JohnEverlasting Mercy Fellowship

Light vs. Darkness

1st John 1:5-10 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.

Analogy & Philosophy

Analogy & Philosophy

Throughout history, some people have tried to understand God philosophically while others have tried to understand Him experientially.

Philosophy is used to understand, explain and resolve various issues.

Analogies are used to help us understand a new concept by comparing it to an existing concept that we understand.

Not all philosophies are good just like not all analogies are good.

An example of a bad philosophy would be the belief that God is everything everywhere of that God is all in all. This is called Panentheism.

Panentheism : A bad analogy & a worse philosophy

Panentheism : A bad analogy & a worse philosophy

Panentheism has led many to worship creation as an equal to creator especially the sun.

The reason people believe this is because we were created to fellowship with God.

This is still a popular belief even among Christians today.

What does the bible say about this? See Romans 1:19-25

Romans 1:19-25: A response to Panentheism

Romans 1:19-25 19 For what can be known about God is plain

to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.

Analogies

Our sin is compared to darkness while our God is compared to light

Our relationships with each other should be done in light of our relationship with God. They should be based on truth and integrity, not lying and deceit.

The problem is that we all sin… 1st John 1:8

8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

1st John 1:10 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him

a liar, and his word is not in us.

Analogies

The solution to sin is found in Jesus. 1st John 1:7

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.

Through confession (admitting guilt), we are forgiven and cleaned.

1st John 1:9 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just

to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Romans 3:23 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory

of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…

Philosophy

God exists and He never changes. He doesn’t have any variance.

1st John 1:5 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.

Jesus has this in common with God Hebrews 13:8

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

To be sinful is to be unrighteous which is the opposite of God who is righteous (Holy). Jesus makes it possible for the unrighteous to have a relationship with a righteous and Holy God.

Philosophy

God’s expectations of those who follow Him is that they copy him in light and truth. The analogy of walking is used.

1st John 1:6-7 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.

People aren’t simply good or bad, they are sinners in the way of the wrath of God.

John 3:36 36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal

life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.