One of the contrasts that we discover in Scripture is that which refers to light and darkness. Among the many identity statements that Scripture makes about God is that He is light, “and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). God is called “The Father of lights” that never changes (James 1:17). Right in the front of our bibles we see that God divided light from darkness (Genesis 1:3-5).

On earth, there are two spiritual kingdoms that exist, the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. We are born into the kingdom of darkness, but by the grace of Christ, we are translated in the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13; Ephesians 5:8). This is the gospel message that Jesus told Paul to proclaim (Acts 26:15-18). The wondrous call of God is one out of darkness and into “His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Nevertheless, despite the fact that Christ has won the victory for us (1 Corinthians 15:57), the personal battle against the powers of darkness is a very daily and real thing (Ephesians 6:11,12; 1 Peter 5:8).

John is going to give us a no nonsense crash course on practical Christianity 101 and what walking in the light looks like. In Adam, we are all in this world as sinners, by birth and by choice (Psalm 51:5; 1 John 1:8). To deny that is to call God a liar. But that does not make the problem or consequences of sin go away, any more than not believing in gravity will allow you to defy its power. All of mankind is SIN positive (Romans 3:10,23). Other religious groups may seek to redefine it, but the reality of sin and its horrible effects are inevitable (Romans 6:23a).

The message of God is the gospel of His Son Jesus Christ. Christ IS the gospel, my friends. Jesus Christ was manifested to take away our sin (1 John 3:5), destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8), and give us life (1 John 4:9). The message could not be clearer. If you have The Son of God, you have life; if you do not have The Son of God, you do not have life (1 John 5:12). Jesus is the only Light (John 1:7-9) that can take away your sin, destroy the works of the devil, and give you life.