“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1John 1:7)
The light is not taught much. It’s always referred to as the Truth of the Lord or the illumination of the knowledge of God. But the Greek word used that was translated light is “phos” which means to shine or to be luminousness, especially by rays which can be natural or artificial, abstract or concrete, literal or figurative. When 1 John 1:7 has been taught, the concentration has always implied that when we are in the Lord, walking in His ways and are right with the Lord, then we will have fellowship and are cleansed from all sin by the Blood of Jesus. Other Greek words are more applicable to that interpretation. Strong offers the word “phemi” in contrast to “phos,” meaning makes one’s thoughts known.
We can only refer to the Word of God as a basis for truth. So we will study this out through Scripture. “And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him.” (Exodus 34:29) The Hebrew word that was translated shone is “qaran” which means to shoot out rays. This is very descriptive. And we accept it because no one has seen God, only Jesus (John 6:46). And no one can see God’s face and live. (Exodus 33:29) Moses asked to see God, to see His glory (Exodus 33:18) but God replied, “...I will make all My Goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. And He said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: And it shall come to pass, while My Glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with My hand while I pass by: And I will take away Mine hand, and thou shalt see My back parts: but My face shall not be seen.” (Exodus 33:19-23) God’s presence caused Moses to shine.
We have another example when Jesus was transfigured. Both Luke and Matthew record the event. “And as he prayed, the fashion of His countenance was altered, and His raiment was white and glistering.” (Luke 9:29) Luke’s account mentions the light radiating from Jesus as glistering. Matthew refers to the brightness of the light. “And was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light.” (Matthew 17:2)
The light is God’s glory. In Exodus 33:19, God called it “all His Goodness.” Now, we can interpret 1John 1:7 with understanding. If we walk in God’s Goodness and Glory, we have fellowship or partnership with one another, the implication being that we have this in common and share in it together. Another benefit is that we are cleansed from all sin. We would not be able to stand in God’s Goodness and Glory with sin.
There is one more thing about God’s light. Jesus tells us, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.” (Matthew 5:14) The word that Jesus used is “phos” the same word that John used in 1 John 1:7. And when John records what Jesus said in John 8:12, He writes, “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” (John 8:12) Each time the word “phos” is used for light. This “phos” is the light of life which is the breath of the Spirit. We have God the Holy Spirit, the life and light of God in us. And although we shine and glow, it’s in the spiritual realm and natural eyes cannot see it. But it will make a difference in our countenance. And those closest to us have seen the difference. And those who don’t know us, know there is a difference in us from others.
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