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.

True Holiness

What comes to mind when you hear the word holiness? For many, it sounds intimidating—like a standard we could never reach. Others reduce it to moral rule-keeping or avoiding sin. But what if holiness is less about striving for perfection and more about experiencing the transforming presence of God?

“True holiness is a profound, living encounter with the living God. It is an encounter that takes us beyond ourselves into the very heart of God.”

— John Eldredge, The Utter Relief of Holiness

In his book, Eldredge reminds us that holiness isn’t primarily about performance. It’s not about gritting our teeth and trying harder to be good. Rather, holiness is a dynamic, transformative encounter with the living God—one that pulls us out of ourselves and draws us into His heart.

What is holiness? Holiness is being separated from the ordinary. God is holy because as Creator He is separate from His creation. God is holy because He is perfectly good and separate from beings who are a mix of good and bad.

This means that holiness is not self-produced. It is a gift received through faith and obedience, reshaping our hearts and minds. God declares that His people are holy. The foundation of our holiness is a living relationship with God that changes our status. We are ultimately holy, separated from the ordinary reality of this world, not because of our moral perfection, but because of God’s declaration.

When we encounter the goodness and love of God, we are overwhelmed with awe, love, and conviction. These three feelings draw us closer to Him, and that relationship ignites our spiritual formation. Therefore, as we grow in our understanding of His character and boundless love, as we pledge our allegiance to King Jesus, we begin to reflect that love outward to the people around us. 

Holiness, then, isn’t about rigid compliance or flawless performance. It’s about being remade by God’s love—and letting that renewal spill into every corner of our lives. It’s a way of living that demonstrates His character and brings Him glory.

Pursuing holiness requires intention. It is the discipline following God daily—through prayer, Scripture, worship, and even in the quiet rhythms of life. As James 4:8 promises, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”

True holiness is not something we can achieve on our own. It is a gift of grace, born from a living encounter with God. And as we walk in His presence day by day, His Spirit transforms us from the inside out—freeing us from what weighs us down and empowering us to love God with all or our heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love our neighbor as we love ourselves.

So let’s not settle for a shallow view of holiness as rule-keeping. Let’s pursue an encounter with the living and holy God. Let’s open our lives to God’s presence and allow His goodness to set us free.

Are We Overusing the Word Demonic?

One of the more troubling trends I’ve noticed in Christian conversations is the habit of calling every viewpoint we dislike “demonic.” I’ve seen it applied to abortion, to “transgender ideology,” and to other cultural issues. While it’s true that evil spiritual beings influence the structures and patterns of this world, labeling everything we oppose as “demonic” is neither helpful nor accurate.

Why? Because the moment we throw out the word “demonic,” we effectively shut down dialogue. That label doesn’t invite conversation—it ends it. If I believe your position is demonic, then why would you listen to me? Why would you try to understand my point of view? Your only option is to resist me, rather than reason with me. 

As followers of Jesus, aren’t we called to do more than shout down our opponents? Aren’t we called to persuade, to love, and to embody the truth in ways that draw others in rather than drive them away?

There’s another danger, too. It’s easy to reserve the label “demonic” for ideas we already dislike while overlooking how evil spiritual forces influence things we personally support. For example, some Christians are quick to call abortion demonic, but slow to acknowledge the demonic influence behind war, nationalism, patriotism, racism, or unjust economic systems. If Satan truly masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14), then his influence may be most dangerous where we least expect it—among the things we feel most comfortable with.

I’ll be honest: I struggle with this myself. Recently I shared a post on Facebook that said, “A person being murdered is only rationalized by the depraved and only celebrated by the demonic.” I could rationalize my sharing of that statement, and in one sense I do believe it captures truth. But it also reminded me how easy it is to use the word “demonic” to make a point. It feels strong and clarifying, but if I’m not careful, it can oversimplify complex realities or shut down conversation. I also fear that using the word “demonic” can dehumanize people on the other side. That tension between being helpful and creating barriers is exactly why I need to be cautious with my language.

This is where Paul’s example in Acts 17 is so helpful. When he stood in Athens surrounded by idols, he didn’t start by condemning their worship as demonic—even though idolatry is clearly opposed to God. Instead, he looked for common ground. “People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious” (Acts 17:22). Rather than shutting the conversation down with a harsh label, he opened it up with respect and curiosity. He even quoted their own poets to build a bridge. Only after establishing that connection did he clearly point them to the true God and call them to repentance.

Paul shows us a better way. He didn’t deny the reality of spiritual darkness, but he also didn’t weaponize that truth to silence his listeners. Instead, he used it as a foundation for dialogue and an opportunity for witness. That’s the model we need today.

The Apostle Paul also reminds us in Ephesians 6:12 that our struggle “is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Yes, there are spiritual powers at work behind the brokenness of this world. But recognizing that should make us humble, not careless with our words. It should drive us to prayer, discernment, and faithful living—not to weaponizing the word “demonic” as a way of dismissing those who disagree with us.

When Christians casually call opposing views “demonic,” we misrepresent the gospel. We risk treating people as enemies rather than fellow humans made in God’s image. We give ourselves an excuse not to love, not to listen, not to engage. Instead, we are called to see people as captives in need of liberation, not as enemies to be destroyed.

So the next time we’re tempted to use “demonic” as a quick label, let’s pause. Let’s remember that spiritual forces are at work everywhere—not just in the causes we oppose, but in the ones we embrace. And let’s choose the harder, better way: to engage with compassion, to reason with gentleness, and to bear witness to the kingdom of God without relying on shortcuts that shut the conversation down.

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

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.

A Godly Pattern for Living

Have you ever noticed how life seems to push us toward the very things that hurt us most? 

Pride convinces us that we deserve recognition. Anxiety whispers that everything depends on us. Temptation promises an easier path if we’ll just give in. In the middle of all that, the Apostle Peter gives us a different vision for life—a godly pattern that brings freedom, peace, and strength.

In his first letter, Peter lays out three simple but challenging steps: relinquish your rights, rely on God, and resist the devil. These aren’t just religious duties. They’re a way of life that shapes our character and keeps us aligned with God’s heart.

Relinquish Your Rights

Peter begins with a call to humility:

1 Peter 5:5-6 (NLT)

In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for

“God opposes the proud

but gives grace to the humble.”

So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.

Relinquishing your rights doesn’t mean you stop having opinions or that your needs don’t matter. It means stepping away from the me-first mentality that dominates our world. Instead of demanding control, insisting on being heard, or clinging to recognition, humility calls you to trust God and serve others.

Jesus is our example here. Though He was God, Philippians 2 tells us He did not cling to His divine rights but humbled Himself—even to the point of death on a cross. True humility isn’t weakness; it’s the strength to surrender to God’s timing and trust His plan.

Rely on God

After humility, Peter addresses something we all carry: worry.

1 Peter 5:7 (NLT)

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

The picture here is vivid—it’s like tossing a heavy load onto someone else’s shoulders. God doesn’t ask us to pretend our problems aren’t real. He invites us to hand them to Him because He cares deeply for us.

Think about the burdens you carry—financial stress, family struggles, uncertainty about the future. It’s like walking around with a backpack full of rocks. God says, “Give it to Me. I can carry that.”

When we rely on God, we’re not ignoring reality. We’re admitting that we’re not strong enough on our own and choosing to trust the One who is.

Resist the Devil

Finally, Peter gives a sober warning:

1 Peter 5:8-9 (NLT)

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are.

The devil is real, and his goal is to derail our faith. He tempts us to doubt God’s goodness, to give in to fear, or to compromise when obedience feels too costly. Peter doesn’t tell us to fight in our own strength—he tells us to resist by standing firm in faith.

Jesus shows us how. When Satan tempted Him in the wilderness, He resisted with the truth of Scripture: “It is written…” God’s Word is our anchor when the enemy roars.

And here’s some encouragement: we don’t fight alone. Christians all over the world face the same battle. The family of God surrounds us, reminding us that resistance is possible and that victory belongs to Christ.

A Pattern Worth Following

Peter’s pattern for living is as countercultural now as it was in the first century:

• Relinquish your rights—choose humility over pride.
• Rely on God—cast your worries onto the One who cares for you.
• Resist the devil—stand firm in faith, anchored in God’s truth.

This is the way of Jesus—the One who humbled Himself, trusted the Father, and triumphed over the enemy. When we follow His lead, we discover the freedom of humility, the peace of trusting God, and the strength to stand firm in a world that wants to pull us away from Him.


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