If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.”
The Greek tense for purify is a flowing tense, signifying that God’s purification is ever-flowing like a river. He is continually cleansing us of our sin. Wow! This is so awesome, because I know that I need that continual cleansing. However, there is that troubling part in context that adds an if. “If we walk in the light . . . Jesus . . . purifies us.” So, what does it mean to walk in the light? Well, I have always been told that it means to be obedient. On the surface this doesn’t sound bad, except that I, like Paul and many others, have a difficult time always being obedient. Indeed, this same passage says that if we claim to have no sin we make God out to be a liar! So, we are back to what it means to walk in the light. It also says, “as he is in the light.” Well, again, if this means obedience I’m lost. Jesus was perfect, obedient in every way. Sorry, I am not able to be perfect in complete obedience. Not that I don’t try, but I fall short every day. I am beginning to think that this walking in the light involves something other than obedience.
We are called children of Abraham, and he was commended for his faith. He was far from perfect, but he did trust God. When tested with his son Isaac, Abraham was willing to sacrifice him, if that was God’s will. Yet, he trusted that God would provide an alternative. I wonder, do you suppose that trust has something to do with walking in the light? I think we may have hit on something here. Jesus is called the son of David, and David was called a man after God’s own heart. However, he was far from perfect. In fact, his sins were extremely grievous. However, he trusted that God would create in him a new heart, a clean heart.
Throughout the Lord’s ministry He was dogged by the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law. These were extremely righteous men. They were constantly pouring over the scriptures, endeavoring to be completely obedient in every facet of God’s word. Jesus even challenges his followers to exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees. “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20) And then, in that same sermon, He says, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) Uh-oh, now I’m really in trouble. I not only have to be more righteous than the Pharisees, I have to be as perfect as the Father! What am I to do?
Well, the Lord provides a parable and examples of what we can do. However, before we get to these, let’s go back to this trust idea. If we are to understand Jesus walking in the light as having to do with trust that might be doable. He had to trust that the Father would raise Him on the third day. He had to trust that the pain He was going to endure would truly be enough to pay the penalty for the sins of the world. In other words, Jesus continued to walk in complete trust of the Father who sent Him. In fact, He is constantly reminding his listeners that the words He speaks are the words of His Father, that the life He is living is life in His Father.
In Matthew 8:5-13 there is the story of a centurion who was so painfully aware of his sins that he felt unworthy to have Jesus in his home. However, he trusted that Jesus could heal without entering his house. Jesus said that He had not found such great faith in all of Israel. He exalts this sinful man above the Pharisees! Did his righteousness somehow exceed theirs, and if so, how? He trusted Jesus. He put his complete faith and trust in the One who could save him. Along with this story, there is that famous parable in Luke 11:9-14.
To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
“But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
“I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
When I read those passages in the sermon on the mount telling me that my righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees, and that I must be perfect as my heavenly Father is perfect, I can only be driven to my knees, saying, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” Thus, I come to the conclusion that walking in the light has much more to do with trust than obedience. I must trust that God will be faithful and save me in the end. I must trust that He will continually cleanse me of my sin. Does this mean that I should not live an obedient life? In no way! Obedience is my response to a loving Savior who is faithful to forgive and cleanse. Obedience is my privilege to a God who has graciously offered me eternal life, providing the only perfect sacrifice for my sins.
It is unfortunate that we are still inundated with modern-day Pharisees who believe they can claim a place in God’s kingdom based upon their own righteousness. It is this belief that they are right and others are wrong that is at the root of the many divisions in the church. Mankind’s pride has always led him to believe that he is better than another, that he is more right than another. Walking in the light means that we humbly admit that we are sinners, that we are completely dependent upon Jesus and His righteousness, that we must trust in Him and Him alone, if we are to be saved.
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