Walking in Light, Love, and Truth: Love and Obedience

1 John 2:3–17

On a stormy February night in 1954, a young Navy pilot set out on a training mission from an aircraft carrier off the coast of Japan. Everything quickly went wrong. His navigational equipment failed, and his cockpit lights short-circuited, leaving him in complete darkness. Later he said, “The blackness outside the plane had suddenly come inside.”

He was flying blind—no horizon, no stars, no instruments—just pitch-black darkness. Despair set in, until suddenly he noticed a faint glow below him in the water. It was bioluminescent plankton, stirred up by the wake of his ship. That faint trail of light was his only hope. He turned toward it and followed it back to safety.

That pilot was Jim Lovell, who years later would become one of the Apollo 13 astronauts. That night, his life was saved because of light.

That story gives us a picture of what John is teaching in 1 John 2:3–17. Life is dark—sin, confusion, and the pull of the world surround us like a black ocean. But God has not left us blind. He has given us light to follow: Jesus Christ, the Light of the World. When we walk in Him, we don’t stumble in the dark—we find the way home.

Obedience: Walking as Jesus Walked (1 John 2:3–6)

John doesn’t mince words: “We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands.”

Faith isn’t just about claiming to know God. It’s about obedience—living in the way God calls us to live. If someone says, “I know Him,” but ignores His commands, John says the truth isn’t in them. Genuine faith shows up in action.

Jesus is our model. To walk in Him is to walk as He walked—not by copying first-century culture, but by imitating His obedience to the Father and His sacrificial love for others.

Love: Living in the Light (1 John 2:7–14)

John calls his readers “friends” and reminds them of an old command that is also new: the command to love.

It’s old because it’s rooted in the law of Moses: love God and love your neighbor. But it’s new because Jesus redefined love through His own example—laying down His life for us. True love is costly.

Hate blinds us. It keeps us in darkness. But love brings us into the light and keeps us from stumbling. When we love each other, we demonstrate that the true light—Jesus—is shining in us.

Loyalty: Choosing God Over the World (1 John 2:15–17)

Finally, John warns us not to love the world. He’s not talking about people or creation, but about the values and desires opposed to God: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life.

These temptations echo the garden of Eden, when Eve saw the fruit, desired it, and took it. The world offers short-lived pleasures, but they never last. John reminds us that “the world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.”

What This Means for Us

• Examine your faith. Don’t just talk the talk—walk the walk. Are you obeying God’s Word, or just saying the right things? 
• Choose love. Love is the defining mark of discipleship. Forgive someone. Serve someone. Pray for someone. That’s how God’s light shines through us.
• Check your loyalties. Where do your affections lie? With temporary things that fade away, or with God’s eternal kingdom?

Walking in the Light Today

John gives us three markers of genuine faith: obedience, love, and loyalty to God. They aren’t just religious ideals—they are how we follow Jesus day by day.

The evangelist D.L. Moody once said, “Of one hundred men, one will read the Bible; the ninety-nine will read the Christian.” The world is reading our lives. If they see obedience, love, and devotion to God, they’ll see the light of Christ shining through us.

The good news is that God has not left us in the dark. Through Jesus, the Light of the World, we have forgiveness, guidance, and hope. So let’s walk in His light—humbly, obediently, and lovingly—and let His light shine through us into a dark world.

•  Personal Challenge: Ask God what affections or desires you need to let go of so you can more fully live for Him.
• Relational Challenge: Show love to someone this week in a tangible way—write a note, offer forgiveness, or spend time with them.

Living in Light, Love, and Truth: Walking in Light

1 John 1:5–2:2

When was the last time you had to use your cell phone as a flashlight? Maybe you were rummaging around in the garage, trying to read a menu in a dimly lit restaurant, or searching for something in the backyard at night. Why did you need it? Because it was dark—and without light, you couldn’t see clearly.

That’s a picture of life in this world. As sinners living among other sinners in a fallen world, we encounter darkness every day. Sure, we may have Instagram-worthy moments that feel like sunny-day picnics, but the truth is, life often feels more like a midnight walk through the woods. On most days, we face more confusion, temptation, and brokenness than clarity and peace.

And here’s the problem: without light, we can’t move forward safely. Without light, we can’t see where we’re going—or even where the dangers are. That’s why we need something outside ourselves to light the way. Psalm 119:105 says: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” God has provided light for our darkness—truth that reveals reality and guides us forward.

It is this idea of light that John starts the main part of his teaching: “God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).

God Is Light

When John says that God is light, he’s saying something profound. Light represents what is good, pure, true, beautiful, and holy. Darkness, on the other hand, represents evil, deception, and sin.

To say that God is light means:

• His character is good, pure, and beautiful.
• His word is true and trustworthy.
• He reveals the way of life.

In God there is no deception, no evil, and no sin. He is holy—and that holiness shines into our world to expose what is real.

This was not just a theological statement for John; it was practical. False teachers had infiltrated the early church. They claimed fellowship with God while living in sin. They claimed they had no sin to worry about. Some even claimed that sin didn’t matter because it only affected the body, not the spirit. John corrects these lies with the truth of who God is and what it means to walk in the light.

Three False Claims

John takes up three false claims the false teachers were making:

1. Claim: We can have fellowship with God while living in darkness. — John says no—if we walk in darkness while claiming to know God, we are deceiving ourselves. Fellowship with God is seen in how we live: walking in truth, resisting evil, and demonstrating God’s character.
2. Claim: We don’t have sin. — John says that if we deny our sin nature, we are lying to ourselves. The good news, though, is this: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1:9).
3. Claim: We have not sinned. — This is even more dangerous. To deny sin in our lives is to call God a liar and reject His word. Scripture is clear: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

John’s point is not that Christians will never sin. His point is that when we sin, we have an Advocate—Jesus Christ the righteous. His death on the cross atones for our sins, and not only for ours, but for the sins of the whole world.

What This Means for Us

So how does this speak into our daily lives?

1. Life makes sense through the reality of God. On our own, life often feels meaningless. Why do people do terrible things? Why do I struggle with behavior I know is wrong? Why does life sometimes feel empty? The answer is found in the light of God—through His word and through Jesus. He helps us make sense of the world and shows us how to live.
2. Living in the light is more about how we live than what we know. Right belief matters—but right belief is meant to lead to right living. There are people who can recite the creeds, quote Scripture, and defend doctrine, yet their lives are marked by pride, anger, or selfishness. Walking in the light is about demonstrating God’s character in everyday life: love, kindness, honesty, forgiveness.
3. We need humility. The danger John confronts is pride—a pride that says, “I’ve got it all figured out. I don’t struggle with sin. I don’t need correction.” Walking in the light requires humility: admitting that we still have darkness in us, that we still sin, that we still need God’s grace every day. The good news is that we don’t need to hide our sin or pretend it isn’t there. Jesus has already taken care of it.

Walking in the Light

Here’s the heart of it:

1. God is light—holy, pure, and true.
2. We cannot claim fellowship with Him and continue to walk in darkness.
3. Walking in the light means living honestly, humbly, and lovingly.
4. And when we do sin, we don’t deny it or despair over it—we bring it to Jesus, our Advocate.

This is the good news: The God who is light has made a way for us to walk in His light—through Jesus.

So let me leave you with two challenges:

• Personal: Practice walking in the light by confessing your sins honestly to God. Don’t excuse them. Don’t hide them. Bring them into His light, trusting His promise of forgiveness.
• Relational: Look for one way to demonstrate God’s character in your relationships. Be patient with someone who tests you. Show kindness when it isn’t deserved. Offer forgiveness when it’s hard.

Closing Thought

Imagine a room with every window shuttered and every light switched off. You can’t see the dust, the clutter, or the broken things. But when sunlight pours in, everything is revealed.

That’s what it means for God to be light. His light exposes our sin, but it also reveals our Savior. And that’s the hope of the gospel: Jesus, our Advocate, has already taken care of our sin.

So step into the light—live honestly, walk humbly, love deeply—and let God’s character shine through you into a dark world.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

When the Days Grow Shorter

Finding Light and Joy in the Changing Seasons

September is a time of change. Already the trees around Austin show hints of color, and the morning air carries a chill that reminds us summer is slipping away. Over the course of the month, we’ll lose more than 80 minutes of daylight. The days grow shorter, the nights longer, and for many of us that shift can feel like a slow slide into gloom.

I’ll be honest: I feel it too. The long, bright days of summer lift my spirit, and when the darkness settles in, I can struggle. Some of you know this feeling well—whether it’s Seasonal Affective Disorder or simply the heaviness that comes with winter, the shortening of days often brings with it a shortening of joy.

But what if we could learn a different perspective?

In Scandinavia, where winters are long and dark, people have discovered ways not just to endure the season but to embrace it. They talk about hygge (Danish), koselig(Norwegian), and mys (Swedish)—words for creating warmth and coziness with candles, blankets, good food, and close company. They also practice friluftsliv, “free air life,” a way of finding joy in the outdoors no matter the weather.

Imagine that: instead of dreading the shrinking daylight and dropping temperatures, people lean into it. They light candles, gather friends, share meals, and bundle up for a walk in the crisp air. They create space for joy by focusing on light, warmth, and relationships.

That perspective has a lot to teach us. As Christians, we know that darkness doesn’t have the final word. The prophet Isaiah wrote, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned”(Isaiah 9:2). Jesus himself said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

What if we allowed the darker months to remind us to look for the Light of Christ? What if we used this season as an invitation to slow down, to nurture relationships, to dress warmly and breathe the fresh air God still provides?

For me, a few practices have made a big difference. Last year I decided to leave our outside Christmas lights on throughout the winter. It may sound simple, but it was a joy to come home and see our house lit up with cheery colors in the darkness. That little bit of light lifted my spirit.

Another practice I’ve picked up—though not as regularly as I’d like—is coloring. I have a few adult coloring books that I pull out in the winter. The act of slowing down, choosing colors, and creating something beautiful helps me shift my focus and find calm.

And then there’s Teddy. Since getting a dog, I’ve had to take him on walks—usually three short ones a day. What started as a responsibility became a gift. Being outside, even for just a few minutes at a time, really helped my mood last winter. Teddy has been my unintentional teacher in friluftsliv.

Maybe your version looks different—lighting a candle when you read Scripture, inviting a friend over for coffee, or bundling up for a short walk. The details aren’t what matter. What matters is cultivating practices that remind us that even in dark seasons there is beauty, joy, and the presence of God.

Darkness doesn’t have to mean despair. It can be the pathway to a different kind of light. Just as the Scandinavian people embrace winter with warmth and joy, we too can embrace the changing season as a reminder of the deeper light and hope found in Christ.

So as the days grow shorter and the nights longer, let’s not see this as something to endure but as an opportunity to live differently—to create space for light, love, and the presence of Jesus in our lives.

Paul’s Ponderings is a blog dedicated to reflecting on Scripture and encouraging believers to live out their faith with love and purpose.

A Light in the Darkness

 

In 2020, a record-breaking “megaflash” of lightning illuminated the skies over the southern United States, stretching an astounding 477.2 miles. This extraordinary event reminds us of the unique power of light to pierce even the vastest darkness. While most lightning bolts are brief and localized, megaflashes span regions, carrying light and energy far beyond the typical bounds of a thunderstorm.

 

This phenomenon provides a vivid illustration of biblical prophecy. Many Old Testament prophecies addressed the immediate needs of their audience—like a flash of light offering momentary guidance. Yet some of these prophecies, such as Isaiah’s announcement of the coming Messiah, resemble megaflashes, illuminating not just their own time but stretching forward to our present day. These promises reveal God’s plan to bring hope and redemption to His creation.

 

Advent: A Season of Hope

The season of Advent, leading up to Christmas, invites us to pause, reflect, and prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus. It reminds us that we worship a God who keeps His promises. Advent focuses on hope, peace, joy, and love, helping us reflect on the profound truth of God’s promise to save and transform His creation.

 

But how can we be confident that God will keep His promise to return, restore justice, defeat evil, and make everything right? The answer lies in the fact that God has already kept His promise by sending Jesus.

 

A Prophetic Light in the Darkness

In Isaiah 9:2-7, the prophet speaks of a coming light breaking into the darkness of judgment and exile. This light, Isaiah declares, will be a child born to bring peace, justice, and hope.

 

The Messiah, Isaiah foretells, will have titles that signify His divine and royal role:

• Wonderful Counselor: He offers wisdom and guidance beyond human understanding.

• Mighty God: He embodies the strength and victory of God Himself.

• Everlasting Father: He will reign with the eternal care of the loving Father.

• Prince of Peace: He will usher in a reign of wholeness and restoration.

 

Centuries later, in Luke 1:26-38, the angel Gabriel delivers this same promise to Mary, a young girl in a small town. The news is unexpected and overwhelming: she will give birth to the Savior. Yet Mary responds with faith, declaring, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” Her willingness to trust God’s promise becomes the bridge by which the light enters the world.

 

Living as Children of the Light

The Apostle Paul, in Ephesians 5:8-9, reminds believers that we are no longer in darkness because of Jesus. Instead, we are called to live as people of the light—repenting of sin, loving others, and living lives of goodness, righteousness, and truth. In doing so, we reflect the hope of Christ to a world still shrouded in darkness.

 

Isaiah’s prophecy pointed forward to Jesus, the light who brings wisdom, love, and hope. Now, as followers of Jesus, we carry that light into the world. In every act of kindness, every word of truth, and every step of faith, we reveal the hope of God’s promises.

 

The Hope That Sustains Us

Hope, rooted in God’s promises, is essential for enduring life’s challenges. It assures us that darkness will not last forever, that evil will be defeated, and that God’s new creation will one day be fully realized. As Revelation 21:3-4 declares:

“Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever.”

 

Until that day, we live in hope, holding fast to the faithfulness of the One who promised.

 

Challenge: Embracing the Light of Hope

This week, take time each day to thank God for the hope we have in Jesus:

• Hope for eternal life.

• Hope for transformation.

• Hope for the forgiveness of sins.

• Hope for the defeat of evil.

• Hope for the new creation.

 

By focusing on these truths, we allow the light of God’s promises to penetrate the darkness in our hearts and the world around us.

 

Final Thought

In a world often engulfed in darkness, the promises of God shine like a megaflash, illuminating the way forward. The same God who sent Jesus to bring light to the world will fulfill His promise to return and make all things new. Until then, we live as children of the light, reflecting hope, goodness, and truth to a world in need of His redeeming love.