1 John 1:5 (God is Pure): In Him, there is no Darkness at all!

In our first part, we briefly explored John the Apostle to understand the literary and cultural-historical contexts of his writings (the gospel according to John, the 3 letters, and Revelation). In the second part, we directly dived into 1 John 1:1-4 and got inspired by how this then old gentleman boldly stood up against false preaching and emphasized ‘Emmanuel’, our God becoming 100% human and living among us’. In today’s bible study, we are asked, what does 1 John 1:5 tell us about God’s character? And, surely, this question is serious!

Apparently, to our eyes, the Bible elsewhere appears ‘contradictory’. For example, Genesis 1 emphasizes that God created everything, including darkness. Even though the verse a little bit indicates that darkness was there and God just did the separating, it is very relevant to attribute every beginning to God, including the beginnings of darkness! In Isaiah 45:7, God reports himself; ‘I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things’. In Exodus 12:12, God himself brings death to Egypt’s first born and, in 2 Kings 22:20, God confesses bringing evil! Let us finalize in Colossians 1:6; ‘For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him’

What does 1 John 1:5 say about God’s character and how do we harmonize that with the above verses? First (this is my personal suggestion), I would love to suggest that the above verses don’t necessarily say same things. In my view, theologically, to say ‘darkness’ does not necessarily equal to saying ‘bad happenings’ or ‘evil’ (not sin but bad, calamity, death, disaster; see other Bible translations, for example, ESV). God can cause evil or allow death to visit our land yet holy and righteously!

What am I saying? I am saying that God didn’t or doesn’t cause evil (sin or unrighteousness or darkness) but can cause evil or darkness (calamity, death, disaster and all sorts of bad happenings) righteously! See James 1:13; ‘Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man’ (KJV). Have I simplified it? Well, I am saying that the word evil or darkness really can mean a lot of things depending on the context;

In this John’s context, he is saying God is holy and righteous and, in Him, there is no sin or evil or darkness. But in the contradictory verses, Isaiah or David is actually saying that God can cause evil, calamities, death, trouble, diseases, disaster and or darkness (not sin!). In the first instance, there is no sinning; in this second instance, there is no sinning as well. God is Holy!

Well, let us dig deeper!

In our earlier days, we did a deep study on evil; its origin, author and its end, and agreed that God is holy, righteous and, in him, there is no sin. I wouldn’t expect you to miss that article for it really takes away all the contradictions. In other words, there are no contradictions, not at all, it is just our bad theology! God is holy and every work of His hands is perfect; ‘He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he’ (Deuteronomy 32:4).

In our today’s Bible study, John the Apostle brings it home; ‘This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all’. In other words, this is the gospel, the message from the Lord Jesus, our God is holy and, in Him, there is no darkness of sin, ignorance or anything evil! That is the message; GOD IS HOLY AND PERFECT.

What then? Eeeh you mean you can even ask! WE TOO MUST BE HOLY! Let us study this next time.

Related verses: Psalm 104:1-2; 1 Timothy 6:16; Revelation 21:23. I love this last verse; ‘And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof’ (Revelation 21:23)

God Bless You

RECEIVING CHRIST JESUS

Have you received Christ yet? If yes, praise God and keep proclaiming His love. If no, this is your time to find the only true and full joy that lasts forever in Christ Jesus. Just say, Oh Lord Jesus, I am sorry I have been away for long. I am a sinner. You became flesh and took over my cross, the punishment of death I deserved so I may find life a full joy in you. Yet I haven’t recognized this for a long time and have been your enemy all along. I am sorry. Forgive me and count me among your children. In Jesus name. Amen.

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