1 John 1:7-9 – “If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that 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.”

These few verses encapsulate the secret of a victorious Christian life. We should walk in the light of God’s presence. God revealed Himself to us through His Word. The psalmist says, “The entrance of your words gives light” (Ps. 119:130). Jesus Christ is the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us. “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men” (John. 1:4). We also see the Father when we see Him, because in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Col. 2:9). We can only be reconciled with the Father by virtue of Christ’s death on the cross: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Eph. 1:7).

To walk in the light means to immerse yourself in God’s Word and to stay in contact with Jesus Christ to the extent that you will be conscious of His divine presence which always surrounds you. He sees everything you do, and even knows your most secret thoughts. Nothing can be hidden from Him. Never allow the knowledge of your sins and weaknesses to drive you away from Him, but remain in the light and confess all sins of which the Holy Spirit convicts you.

In the light of His presence we have fellowship with the Lord Jesus as He speaks to us through His Word, He guides us through His Spirit, and we talk to Him in prayer. We should immediately repent from all sins of which we become conscious. This principle has already been established in Old Testament Times: “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Prov. 28:13). Don’t deny that you have sinned because that would be self-deception. Confess all known sins to the Lord Jesus and accept His promise that He will immediately forgive you and cleanse you from all unrighteousness.

If you maintain an uninterrupted relationship with the Lord Jesus by always walking in the light, you will enjoy the continued cleansing from sin by His blood. You must live under the blood and confess all sins the moment you become aware of them. Then, there will be nothing between you and the Lord. Always remember the rule: walk in the light! Don’t tread any of the dark paths of sin on which you know that the Lord will not accompany you, e.g. worldly parties where people use alcohol, swear and conduct vain discussions. Paul says, “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them” (Eph. 5:11).

Abide in the Lord Jesus and follow Him. He said, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Prayer: “Lord Jesus, we realise that an uninterrupted relationship with You is the secret of daily walking in the light of your presence. We know that sins will separate us from You, and because of this we acknowledge the need to confess and forsake sins the moment we become aware of them. Keep us back from secret sins of which other people may not even be aware, such as evil thoughts, revengefulness, pride and the love of money. Together with David we pray: ‘Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back your servant from presumptuous sins. Let them not have dominion over me’ (Ps. 19:12-13). We ask these things in your exalted Name. Amen.”