“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. If we say we have fellowship with him while continually walking in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 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. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.” (1 John 1:5–2:2, ESV)
The message that John shares is not something invented or some sort of tale that he made up out of his imagination. This message was received from the lips of Jesus himself. God is light, so he is truth and purity with no ignorance, error, or evil. If one makes the claim that they have fellowship with God, then they must not walk in darkness, or it will show that their claim is false. Walking in the light yields fellowship and forgiveness of sin. Sin is universal and to say that one has no sin creates a personal delusion. God offers forgiveness to the individual that acknowledges their sin and relies on Jesus for cleansing. John is warm and affectionate toward his little children explaining that he writes these things so that they might not sin but when one sins, Jesus is our advocate with the Father, and he is righteous. Jesus gives us a favorable standing before the Father because of his finished work.
John offers assurance that his message is trustworthy and directly from Jesus himself. The elderly apostle is direct in his assertions about God. He boldly declares that God is light, and there is no darkness at all. This disciple also offers a stinging critique to those that walk in darkness no matter what profession they may make. Jesus' finished work satisfies the righteous demands oaf the law and his blood cleanses us from sin. Some believe that people do not actually sin, they are simply the product of their environment and therefore should not be held accountable. This belief that man does not sin is only a delusion and man is held personally responsible for his sin. However, for those who confess their sin and look to Jesus for mercy and grace, there is cleansing. Christianity without morality is not Christianity. The evidence of grace is seen in our obedience. When we do sin, Christ mediates and advocates on our behalf, and he is able because he satisfied the righteous demands of the law. Jesus' work results in the believer enjoying the favor of the Father.