The following verse serves as a warning to everyone who claims to have a relationship with God. Saving faith goes beyond mouthing words of consent; it is demonstrated by a changed life ...
If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. (1 John 1:6)
John addressed those who profess to be followers of Christ but continue to embrace an ungodly lifestyle. To 'walk in darkness' is wallowing in ongoing, 'unrepentant' iniquity.
Scripture lists some of the sins associated with that 'blackened' domain ... adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like. (Galatians 5:19-21)
We can expect a lost soul to 'walk in darkness'. But sadly, people who identify with Christ often go on living in self-indulgence. Misapplication of the term 'grace' is usually at the root.
They take this statement out of context to excuse their immoral behavior ... For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
The Bible makes it clear that sanctification is necessary ... But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Romans 5:20,6:1-2)
We must allow the Holy Spirit to transform us ... to open our eyes so that we may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that we may receive forgiveness and release from our sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Christ. (Acts 26:18)
Dear Christian ... you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord; walk as a child of the light. (Ephesians 5:8)
Your manner of life should reflect your claim to know God.
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