1 Jn 1:7 – 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.

The Apostle John begins his first epistle with a very succinct and clear statement on the necessity of a Christian to “walk in the light”, following the example of Jesus and how He walked during His time on the earth. 

1 Jn 1:5-7 – This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 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.

The word used for “walk” specifically refers to how we conduct ourselves and the actions that we take in our day to day life: to live, deport oneself, follow, go, be occupied with, walk (about). John makes it very clear that in order for us to be a genuine believer and have fellowship with Him, we must put off any lingering deeds of darkness, and actively follow Him by walking in the light. Only as we each individually give ourselves to that pursuit can we truly have Christ centered fellowship with each other as brethren and only then does the blood of Jesus continue to cleanse us of all sin.

We are told in Heb 12:14-15 to: Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God. Jesus implored His followers to: Seek ye first the kingdom of God, AND His Righteousness (Matt 6:43). It’s important to note that even though, when a person comes to faith in Christ, we are at that point “made holy” and are imputed with Christ’s righteousness, we are still told to “follow after” holiness and “seek” righteousness. This refers to more than just a “recognition” or mental acknowledgment of what Christ has made us, but the active and actual living out of the new identity. There is an intense daily focus needed in the believer’s life to this pursuit, and there is not really any other option for the believer, it is the walk of faith. The Apostle James said: “ Show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith BY my works” (Jam 2:18). Modern day theology and teaching focuses almost exclusively on the “position” as if by itself it is sufficient, and overlooks the actual and necessary working out of that in our lives. It is only when we “work out our own salvation with fear and trembling” that God will “worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure” (Ph 2:12-13). It doesn’t happen any other way. Here we see the cooperation between our faith and God’s grace; we trust Him and follow His leading in faithfulness and the obedience of sonship, and then He works in us to accomplish His purpose for our lives. As much as we might like to think that it happens automatically for a Christian, it does not, which is why scripture is filled with instruction, admonishment, exhortations on how to conduct ourselves as believers and warnings of what happens when we don’t follow His leading.

Obviously it is a process to root out the deeds of the flesh and to practice walking in the newness of life, but it is something we need to be actively giving ourselves to and what it means to be a “doer of the Word”: Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. (Jam 1:21-22).

It is also what it means to “walk in the Spirit” which is the ever important condition placed on the familiar, often quoted promise from Rom 8:1 – There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, WHO *walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit*. It is crucial for the believer to “walk in the Spirit” and necessary in order to claim the promise of no condemnation and to distinguish us as the children of God. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God (Rom 8:14).