1 John 1:5–10 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.

 Some of these words are familiar to many of you from the order of confession and absolution we use in one of our worship services. They appear this way in the hymnal:

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 John is driving home the point that forgiveness for sin is available, but it doesn’t come from us. It was Jesus’ doing. It is the blood of Jesus that purifies us from all sin. When He offered His perfect life on the cross, that was the only sacrifice necessary, the only thing that could pay for our sin and earn our forgiveness.

When we know and believe and understand this, we try to heed His call to walk in His light and be His light for the world to see. Walking in the light we will be in fellowship and communion with others who have been led to faith in Jesus. Walking in the light we will shine for others to see. Walking in the light is our calling as followers of Jesus.

We need to remember that those who are walking in the light with us are not perfect, and neither are we. But we are forgiven. It was not our doing, but God’s. He forgives and purifies and welcomes us into His presence. I live in that confidence, and hope that you do, too.