Walking in the Light: Fellowship and Confession

Summary

The story of my little dog, stumbling in the rain with her hood covering her eyes, is a picture of how we often live our lives—thinking we know the way, but actually bumping into obstacles because we’re not seeing clearly. Scripture warns us about walking in darkness, and reminds us that true clarity and direction come only from walking in fellowship with God, who is light. God’s light is not just a gentle glow, but the radiant perfection of all His attributes—His love, justice, wisdom, and power. To walk in the light is to align ourselves with His character, not simply to try harder to be moral, but to let His truth and presence shape our lives.

We are called to recognize the difference between relationship and fellowship with God. Relationship is a gift of grace, unbreakable and rooted in our adoption as God’s children. Fellowship, however, is the lived experience of unity and agreement with God, and it can be hindered by sin or by walking in darkness. Confession is not just a ritual or a quick apology, but a heartfelt acknowledgment of our sin and a turning back to God. It is through honest confession and repentance that we experience God’s faithful forgiveness and cleansing.

The passage from 1 John challenges us to admit the reality of our sinful nature, to agree with God about what is true, and to trust Him even when we don’t understand. We are not called to perfection, but to humility and dependence on Christ, our advocate and the propitiation for our sins. The world, the flesh, and the devil are real enemies, but the power of the gospel is greater. We are invited to walk in the light, to pursue fellowship with God and with others who seek Him, and to aim for God’s glory in all things. When we do, we find that our own deepest needs and desires are met in Him, and we become living witnesses to His grace and truth.

Key Takeaways

- Walking in the light means aligning our lives with the radiant perfections of God, not just following moral routines or relying on our own intuition. When we try to navigate life apart from God’s presence and truth, we inevitably stumble, no matter how familiar the path seems. True direction and peace come from living in close fellowship with the One who knows us and the world perfectly. [01:45]

- The distinction between relationship and fellowship with God is crucial. Relationship is established by God’s grace and cannot be broken, but fellowship depends on our unity and agreement with Him. Sin disrupts fellowship, not relationship, and restoration comes through sincere confession and a willingness to walk in agreement with God’s revealed truth. [14:41]

- Confession is more than a verbal or mental acknowledgment of wrongdoing; it is a heart-level response that leads to repentance and transformation. True confession involves seeing ourselves as God sees us, admitting our failures, and turning away from self-justification. This posture of humility opens us to God’s faithful forgiveness and cleansing, freeing us from shame and the patterns of darkness. [16:24]

- The world, the flesh, and the devil are persistent enemies that seek to draw us into darkness and away from God’s purposes. Admitting our ongoing need for grace and help is not a sign of weakness, but of spiritual maturity. The gospel does not call us to self-improvement, but to dependence on Christ, who is our advocate and the atoning sacrifice for our sins. [23:01]

- Fellowship with other believers is a vital part of walking in the light. God uses our relationships with others who are seeking Him to encourage, challenge, and sanctify us. While we are called to be salt and light in the world, we must be intentional about aligning ourselves with those who help us pursue God’s glory, so that together we reflect His love and truth to the world. [29:53]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:45] - The Dog in the Rain: A Parable of Stumbling
[02:56] - Reading 1 John 1:5–2:6
[03:41] - The Gospel: Jesus Our Advocate
[04:29] - Knowing God Through Obedience
[05:34] - Light and Darkness: Patterns of Living
[07:17] - The Jesus Story Part Two: The Spirit’s Work
[08:16] - Defining “Light”: God’s Perfect Perfections
[10:46] - Defining “Darkness” and “Walking”
[13:56] - Relationship vs. Fellowship with God
[16:24] - The Meaning of Confession
[18:35] - Exiting the Dark Lifestyle: Practical Steps
[22:03] - The Grace of Confession and Advocacy
[23:01] - The Three Enemies: World, Flesh, Devil
[24:55] - Agreeing with God’s Word About Sin
[28:21] - Trusting God When We Don’t Understand
[29:53] - Fellowship, Cleansing, and Community
[36:10] - Propitiation: Christ’s Atoning Sacrifice
[37:42] - Prayer and Closing Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Walking in the Light (1 John 1:5–2:6)

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### Bible Reading

1 John 1:5–2:6 (ESV)

> 5 This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 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 cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

> 2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

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### Observation Questions

1. According to 1 John 1:5, how does John describe God, and what does it mean that “in him is no darkness at all”?
2. What does the passage say happens when we claim to have fellowship with God but continue to walk in darkness? ([02:56])
3. In 1 John 1:9, what is promised to those who confess their sins?
4. How does John describe Jesus’ role for us when we sin, according to 1 John 2:1–2?

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### Interpretation Questions

1. The sermon used the story of the dog in the rain as a picture of our spiritual lives. In what ways does this story help us understand what it means to “walk in darkness” versus “walk in the light”? ([01:45])
2. The difference between “relationship” and “fellowship” with God was emphasized. Why is it important to understand this distinction, and how does it affect our daily walk with God? ([14:41])
3. The sermon said that confession is not just a quick apology but a “heart-level response.” What does true confession look like, and why is it necessary for fellowship with God? ([16:24])
4. The passage and sermon both mention “the world, the flesh, and the devil” as enemies. How do these three work against our walk in the light, and what does it mean to depend on Christ as our advocate? ([23:01])

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### Application Questions

1. The sermon said that “walking in the light” is not just about trying harder to be moral, but about aligning ourselves with God’s character. Are there areas in your life where you’ve been relying on your own intuition or routines instead of seeking God’s direction? What would it look like to invite God’s light into those areas? ([01:45])
2. Think about the difference between relationship and fellowship with God. Is there anything in your life right now that is hindering your fellowship with God, even though your relationship with Him is secure? What steps could you take this week to restore that fellowship? ([14:41])
3. The sermon described confession as a heartfelt turning back to God, not just a ritual. When was the last time you truly confessed something to God at a heart level? What keeps you from honest confession, and how can you overcome that barrier? ([16:24])
4. The world, the flesh, and the devil are described as real enemies. Which of these do you feel is most challenging for you right now? How can you depend more on Christ’s advocacy and the power of the gospel in that area? ([23:01])
5. The sermon encouraged us to pursue fellowship with other believers who are seeking God. Are there people in your life who help you walk in the light? How can you be more intentional about building those relationships, or is there someone you need to reach out to for encouragement or accountability? ([29:53])
6. The passage says that if we walk in the light, “we have fellowship with one another.” How have you experienced this kind of fellowship in the past? What could you do to help create a more honest and grace-filled community in your small group or church? ([29:53])
7. The sermon challenged us to aim for God’s glory in all things. What is one area of your life where you tend to pursue your own interests first? How could you shift your focus to seek God’s glory in that area this week? ([29:53])

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End with prayer, asking God to help the group walk in the light, experience true fellowship, and depend on Christ’s advocacy and grace.

Devotional

Day 1: Walking in the Light: Fellowship with God and Others
To walk in the light means to live in ongoing, honest fellowship with God, aligning our lives with His perfect character rather than stumbling in the darkness of our own understanding or habits. When we walk in the light, we experience true connection with God and with one another, and the blood of Jesus continually cleanses us from all sin. This is not about achieving perfection, but about a lifestyle of openness, humility, and dependence on God’s grace, resisting the patterns of darkness that so easily entangle us. [02:56]

1 John 1:5-7 (ESV)
"This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice 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 cleanses us from all sin."

Reflection: In what area of your life are you “walking in darkness” by relying on your own understanding or habits instead of seeking God’s light? What would it look like to bring this area into the light today?


Day 2: Confession and Grace: The Pathway to Forgiveness
Confession is more than words—it is a heartfelt acknowledgment of our sin and need for God’s mercy, leading to genuine repentance and transformation. When we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, not because of our efforts, but because of Christ’s atoning work. This ongoing practice of confession keeps us in close fellowship with God, humbles us, and opens us to the power of His grace, even as we continue to struggle with our sinful nature. [03:41]

1 John 1:8-9 (ESV)
"If we say 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."

Reflection: Is there a specific sin or area of failure you have been minimizing or excusing? Take time today to honestly confess it to God, asking Him for both forgiveness and the strength to turn from it.


Day 3: Jesus Our Advocate: Resting in His Righteousness
When we sin, we are not left alone or condemned; we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One—who has fully satisfied God’s justice and offers us continual access to God’s mercy. Jesus is the propitiation for our sins, absorbing the wrath we deserved and reconciling us to God, not only for ourselves but for the whole world. This truth frees us from shame and striving, inviting us to rest in Christ’s finished work and to approach God with confidence, even in our weakness. [04:29]

1 John 2:1-2 (ESV)
"My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world."

Reflection: When you fail, do you tend to hide from God or try to “make it up” to Him? How can you practice coming to Jesus as your advocate today, trusting in His righteousness instead of your own?


Day 4: Letting God Define Truth: Submitting to His Word
True spiritual growth comes from letting God’s Word shape our understanding of who He is and what is right, rather than relying on culture, personal feelings, or tradition. God’s light is the perfection of all His attributes, and His Word is the lamp that reveals His character and will. By humbly agreeing with God—even when it challenges our assumptions or desires—we are transformed, protected, and enabled to walk in the light, trusting that God knows what is best for us. [08:57]

Psalm 119:105 (ESV)
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."

Reflection: Are there beliefs or behaviors in your life that are more shaped by culture or personal preference than by Scripture? What is one step you can take today to let God’s Word define truth for you?


Day 5: Aligning with Others in the Light: The Power of Fellowship
Fellowship with other believers who are also seeking to walk in the light is a vital part of our spiritual growth and sanctification. As we confess our sins, encourage one another, and pursue God together, we experience deeper cleansing, support, and transformation. Avoiding relationships, environments, or influences that pull us toward darkness helps protect our fellowship with God and others, while aiming for God’s glory aligns our interests with His and brings lasting joy. [29:53]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: Who in your life encourages you to walk in the light, and who or what tends to pull you toward darkness? What intentional step can you take today to strengthen godly fellowship and avoid influences that hinder your walk with God?

Quotes

It's not walking in the light to try harder to be more moral. That's humanism and you don't need god for that you just need to be a better you and the message that we fail when we say to people you just need to be a better you is a message that fails in any power because if just being a better you would have fixed you then why did you get in the mess you're in? [00:21:31] (25 seconds)  #beyondBetterYou Edit Clip

``Thank God we have this grace that if we come humbly and confess that we are sinners, we have an advocate with the Father. We have an atonement of work on the cross sufficient. Our sins, though they may be many, His grace abounds all the more. Thank goodness. [00:21:56] (17 seconds)  #graceAboundsMore Edit Clip

We calmly and humbly say, Your word, O God, is truth. Help my unbelief. That's the right way. Agree with God about sin that's communicated in the Scripture. Allow God to say no. And trust when you don't understand. [00:28:06] (18 seconds)  #trustGodsTruth Edit Clip

This is how we walk in the light because we're walking in the light. The light is not a place we go, it's a person with whom we dwell and his light is bearing witness in us to inform and create in us who we're supposed to be and to protect us. [00:30:39] (18 seconds)  #dwellingInTheLight Edit Clip

You say, I can't even envision a God who would be angry at sin. You don't know him then. He's perfect in his justice and he's perfect in his love. You can't discount any of these attributes, but this propitiation was through and finally through the blood atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. [00:35:51] (18 seconds)  #justiceAndLoveInGod Edit Clip