Claiming Fellowship with God
The first statement concerns those who claim to have fellowship with God. This means they say they agree with God’s thoughts and feelings. Nothing less than possessing eternal life is necessary for that. Such a confession therefore also includes this. It may be conscious or unconscious. One is saying one has eternal life. That is, one is “born of God,” a child of God.
New Birth and a False Confession
But while the new birth is an absolute reality, a confession can be genuine or false. If someone really says he has fellowship with God, yet walks in darkness, his way of life exposes his confession as false. The confession to have fellowship with Him who is light cannot fit a life in darkness. It is therefore a lie. This also shows it is not about a child of God here. It is about a person who outwardly confesses Christ. Yet he has no life from God.
What It Means to Walk in Darkness
“Walking in darkness” does not describe a child of God who has fallen into sin; it is what a person of this world does in general. He does it habitually and continuously. It is typical for him to sin. He is completely marked by sin. He lives as a sinner in sin. This is regardless of how educated, cultured, or wealthy he is. A hedge fund manager in a fine suit can do this. He may have an expensive car and a doctorate. If he rejects Christ, he walks in darkness. So does a poor, smelly, neglected homeless man. Their lives may differ greatly. Yet here there is no difference.
People Do Not Want a Savior
God wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). But the people of this world know neither God nor themselves. Therefore they have no desire for a Savior. They do not want God either. They sense that this God can only judge them in their condition. God’s Word says their understanding is darkened. It says they are darkness and walk in darkness (Ephesians 4:18; 5:8). Yes, “people loved the darkness rather than the Light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19). And yet they claim to have fellowship with God. What a lie!
How to Recognize True Believers
John shows us here how to recognize true believers and mere confessors. Of course, a child of God can still sin (cf. chapter 2:1). But a child of God walks in the light. That is characteristic of a child of God. For an unbeliever, walking in darkness is characteristic. We must get used to John’s way of speaking. He often presents what is characteristic of a person or thing. If someone who has eternal life sins, that is not typical of him. Water is typically clear. If you find dirty water, is it no longer water? It is still water. But it does not show water’s typical qualities. It is the same with a child of God. Sadly, it can happen that he still sins. But it is not typical. He does not stop being a child of God.
Words and Deeds Must Match
A life in darkness, while claiming fellowship with God, is a flat contradiction. “We lie,” John writes. Our confession does not match reality. But then he adds, “and do not practice the truth.” The lie may relate more to the claim of fellowship with God. Practicing the truth may relate more to walking in darkness. The point is not only to say something. It is also to do it. What we say should match what we do. Words must be followed by corresponding deeds. “Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being” (Psalms 51:6).
Religious Appearance Without Life
You may find it hard to imagine such a person, yet Christianity is full of them. Such a person can be deeply religious. One sees oneself as a Christian because one was baptized as a child. One goes to church now and then, or even regularly. One upholds Christian values and otherwise lives a “decent” life. One hopes to go to heaven because of supposed good works. One sees oneself as a good person. Because one has not seen oneself in God’s light, one is at peace with oneself. Therefore repentance and faith in the Lord Jesus are missing. One sees no need for personal salvation. Therefore one also sees no need for a Savior. No matter how thick the religious coating is, nothing changes. One is darkness and walks in darkness. One lies to oneself and is lost forever.
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