How to be/stay clean ( 1 John 1:7)

[glad4mercy]

How to be Clean. ( 1 John 1:7)

1 John 1:7- 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 purifies us from all sin.

1. In order to approach the presence of God and to have a clean conscience before God we must be purified (cleansed) from all sin. The text says that we are purified from all sin by the blood of Jesus when we walk in the Light. Now what does it mean to walk in the Light and how can we be purified from all sin. How can we be made and kept clean?

It is Christ and His Blood that cleanses us, but there are three conditions that must be met in order for us to receive cleansing and then to keep our garments clean following our cleansing. They are hearing, faith, and obedience.

a. We are made clean by the Words of Jesus. (John 15: 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.)
Jesus Words are the Words of God ( John 14:10), the Words of Life ( John 6:68) and His Words are Spirit (John 6:63),
His Word is a cleansing Word. ( Ephesians 5:25-27)


b. We are made clean by believing the Words of Jesus. (Acts 15:9- And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.) It is not enough to merely hear the Words of Jesus, we must also believe them. Those who rejected Him heard His Words but they were not converted, because the Word was not mixed with faith. We must hear and believe.

c. We must also obey His Words.
Not only do we need to hear and believe His Word, but we also must obey it.

Luke 6:46- And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? John 14: 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.; 1 John 3:23- And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.2 John 1:6- And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.John 15:12- This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

In Salvation, we obey Christ by repenting and believing the Gospel. Following conversion, we are called to keep His commandments and to love one another.

We are made and kept clean by Jesus’ Word, His Blood, His Spirit, when we hear, believe, and obey.

[PJW]

In point "b", the words you quote are in Acts 15:9.
A pretty good post, all-in-all, but I must ask, when and where is the blood of Jesus Christ applied to me? (This is a trick question to point out the importance of baptism)

[glad4mercy]

In point "b", the words you quote are in Acts 15:9.
A pretty good post, all-in-all, but I must ask, when and where is the blood of Jesus Christ applied to me? (This is a trick question to point out the importance of baptism)

Thanks for pointing out the typo. I fixed it. As far as when the blood is applied, I believe it is initially applied when we repent and believe, and it is continuously applied when we walk in the Light. I also think Baptism is important, but I do not believe the water of Baptism washes away our sins. The Blood of Jesus is applied through faith, ( which includes repentance), as the Bible says that hearts are purified by faith.

The act of going down into the water doesnt save, it's the faith behind the act that saves.

[mailmandan]

As far as when the blood is applied, I believe it is initially applied when we repent and believe, and it is continuously applied when we walk in the Light. The Blood of Jesus is applied through faith, (which includes repentance), as the Bible says that hearts are purified by faith.

Hi brother,

1 John 1:6 - If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. This sounds descriptive of lost unbelievers, as we see in 1 John 3:10.

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. This sounds descriptive of saved believers. Do you see these two camps here or do you also see a third camp of saved believers who do not walk in the light, no longer have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ no longer cleanses them from all sin?

Acts 26:18 reads - to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.

2 Corinthians 6:14 reads - Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?

Ephesians 5:8 reads - For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. These passages seem clear that either we are in darkness (lost) or in the light (saved). Do you see a difference between walking "in" the light and walking "as" children of light?

[glad4mercy]

1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. This sounds descriptive of saved believers. Do you see these two camps here or do you also see a third camp of saved believers who do not walk in the light, no longer have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus Christ no longer cleanses them from all sin?

I agree that the at the first two camps exist. As far as the third possible camp, yes there are people who stop walking in the Light, stop having fellowship with other believers, and as far as the Blood cleansing their sins, if they do not confess and repent, what scriptural basis do we have that they are cleansed? I see none. Now the purpose of the daily cleansing of the blood is to keep us clean and in fellowship with God. It's purpose is not so that the one who has sinned receives regeneration all over again, ( I only believe in one regeneration), but so that they may be restored to unbroken and unhindered fellowship with God. Now if we do not confess and forsake our sins, that fellowship remains broken and we are in danger of being cut off because we are not abiding in Him. Nevertheless I do not think that God adopts us, disowns us, adopts us again, etc.

When we are overtaken in a fault, we are still His children. So He chastens us. The difference between a true Christian and a mere professer is that a Christian may stumble, but they will get up and run to Jesus for cleansing. One who professes yet does not possess may demonstrate their condition by wallowing in sin, like a pig wallows in the mud. Not only will they wallow in it, but they become comfortable in the mud, like a frog in a cool pan of water that is gradually heated to boiling, making frog soup.

Jesus said if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. John said this as well. Now if we are not keeping Christ's commandments, ( I am not saying infallibly, but as a course of life), we cannot say that we truly love Christ. If we do not love Christ, we are in the flesh. If we live after the flesh we will die. I cannot escape these truths, no matter which way I decide to lean theologically.

It is not those who hear the Word that are blessed, it is the doers that are blessed. Not that our works save us, but if we are truly saved and abiding in Him, we will have Living Faith, not dead faith.

[mailmandan]

Now the purpose of the daily cleansing of the blood is to keep us clean and in fellowship with God. It's purpose is not so that the one who has sinned receives regeneration all over again, (I only believe in one regeneration), but so that they may be restored to unbroken and unhindered fellowship with God. Now if we do not confess and forsake our sins, that fellowship remains broken and we are in danger of being cut off because we are not abiding in Him. Nevertheless I do not think that God adopts us, disowns us, adopts us again, etc.

You and I certainly agree that there is only one regeneration, one adoption. This is not repeated. So you would see this daily cleansing as more of a foot washing and not the bath of regeneration all over again? That sounds like what Jesus was referring to in (John 13:10).

When we are overtaken in a fault, we are still His children. So He chastens us. The difference between a true Christian and a mere professer is that a Christian may stumble, but they will get up and run to Jesus for cleansing. One who professes yet does not possess may demonstrate their condition by wallowing in sin, like a pig wallows in the mud. Not only will they wallow in it, but they become comfortable in the mud, like a frog in a cool pan of water that is gradually heated to boiling, making frog soup.

Amen!

Jesus said if we love Him, we will keep His commandments. John said this as well. Now if we are not keeping Christ's commandments, (I am not saying infallibly, but as a course of life), we cannot say that we truly love Christ. If we do not love Christ, we are in the flesh. If we live after the flesh we will die. I cannot escape these truths, no matter which way I decide to lean theologically.

I certainly agree that if we love Christ we will keep His commandments (not sinless perfect obedience to His commandments, but as a course of life). The word "keep" (Tereo) Strong's #5083 is defined as, to attend to carefully, take care of to guard, to keep, one in the state in which he is to observe, to reserve. I view this as practicing righteousness (1 John 3:10). Paul said in 1 Corinthians 16:22, If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. We love Him because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19) We certainly don't conjure up this love in our flesh. For believers, the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:5)

It is not those who hear the Word that are blessed, it is the doers that are blessed. Not that our works save us, but if we are truly saved and abiding in Him, we will have Living Faith, not dead faith.

Absolutely! Well said.

[episkopos]

How to be Clean. ( 1 John 1:7)

1 John 1:7- 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 purifies us from all sin.

1. In order to approach the presence of God and to have a clean conscience before God we must be purified (cleansed) from all sin. The text says that we are purified from all sin by the blood of Jesus when we walk in the Light. Now what does it mean to walk in the Light and how can we be purified from all sin. How can we be made and kept clean?

It is Christ and His Blood that cleanses us, but there are three conditions that must be met in order for us to receive cleansing and then to keep our garments clean following our cleansing. They are hearing, faith, and obedience.

a. We are made clean by the Words of Jesus. (John 15: 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.)
Jesus Words are the Words of God ( John 14:10), the Words of Life ( John 6:68) and His Words are Spirit (John 6:63),
His Word is a cleansing Word. ( Ephesians 5:25-27)


b. We are made clean by believing the Words of Jesus. (Acts 15:9- And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.) It is not enough to merely hear the Words of Jesus, we must also believe them. Those who rejected Him heard His Words but they were not converted, because the Word was not mixed with faith. We must hear and believe.

c. We must also obey His Words.
Not only do we need to hear and believe His Word, but we also must obey it.

Luke 6:46- And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? John 14: 15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.; 1 John 3:23- And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.2 John 1:6- And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.John 15:12- This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

In Salvation, we obey Christ by repenting and believing the Gospel. Following conversion, we are called to keep His commandments and to love one another.

We are made and kept clean by Jesus’ Word, His Blood, His Spirit, when we hear, believe, and obey.

We will have fellowship with each other to the depth that we are in proximity to the Lord. I think most believers are happy to stay in an orbit around the Lord and as such meet other believers from time to time. But the one who goes through the outer atmosphere and the death of the re-entry in order to abide where Jesus abides will find a few others who have done so and live among them IN the presence of God. I think that John is speaking very deeply about the spiritual reality of those who walk in the Spirit. This is exceedingly rare in our time. Most are happy to be in some sort of orbit around planet Jesus while keeping a safe distance.

[glad4mercy]

You and I certainly agree that there is only one regeneration, one adoption. This is not repeated. So you would see this daily cleansing as more of a foot washing and not the bath of regeneration all over again? That sounds like what Jesus was referring to in (John 13:10).

Yes, as long as we keep walking in the Light the blood keeps us clean on a daily level. When a person backslides for a prolonged period of time, I do not say they are regenerated all over again when they return to the Lord, but I do think that there is a restoration and renewal, yet not a regeneration.

I certainly agree that if we love Christ we will keep His commandments (not sinless perfect obedience to His commandments, but as a course of life). The word "keep" (Tereo) Strong's #5083 is defined as, to attend to carefully, take care of to guard, to keep, one in the state in which he is to observe, to reserve. I view this as practicing righteousness (1 John 3:10). Paul said in 1 Corinthians 16:22, If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. We love Him because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19) We certainly don't conjure up this love in our flesh. For believers, the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:5)

Well said!! Our love for God is evidence that we have been truly born from above, not the condition of the new birth.

[glad4mercy]

We will have fellowship with each other to the depth that we are in proximity to the Lord. I think most believers are happy to stay in an orbit around the Lord and as such meet other believers from time to time. But the one who goes through the outer atmosphere and the death of the re-entry in order to abide where Jesus abides will find a few others who have done so and live among them IN the presence of God. I think that John is speaking very deeply about the spiritual reality of those who walk in the Spirit. This is exceedingly rare in our time. Most are happy to be in some sort of orbit around planet Jesus while keeping a safe distance.

Nice post and very true. This captures the meaning of 1 John 1:7 very nicely.

[marianna]

Thanks for pointing out the typo. I fixed it. As far as when the blood is applied, I believe it is initially applied when we repent and believe, and it is continuously applied when we walk in the Light. I also think Baptism is important, but I do not believe the water of Baptism washes away our sins. The Blood of Jesus is applied through faith, ( which includes repentance), as the Bible says that hearts are purified by faith.

The act of going down into the water doesnt save, it's the faith behind the act that saves.

the bible says the Blood is applied when we confess our sins. confessing our sins is a condition to walking in the light.

if we have say we have not sinned or that we have no sin, we lie, and are walking in darkeness, we are not walking in the light because there isnt any truth in us, we have deceived ourselves. we're supposed to go to the throne of Grace for cleansing because the veil was torn and we confess to Jesus who cleanses us.

confession of sins is the condition for walking in the light.

1 john 1
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us) 3That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

5This 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. 6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7But 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. 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

[marianna]

We will have fellowship with each other to the depth that we are in proximity to the Lord. I think most believers are happy to stay in an orbit around the Lord and as such meet other believers from time to time. But the one who goes through the outer atmosphere and the death of the re-entry in order to abide where Jesus abides will find a few others who have done so and live among them IN the presence of God. I think that John is speaking very deeply about the spiritual reality of those who walk in the Spirit. This is exceedingly rare in our time. Most are happy to be in some sort of orbit around planet Jesus while keeping a safe distance.

you make it sound like a few special people go through some magic door and meet other special people who got there on their own power. that\'s wrong. we are born again from God - like the wind. not ourtselves. you are bragging about being spiritual over others and you misundertstand what the bible is saysing.

all born again christians walk in the Spirit.
therew arent 2 kinds of christians. i wonder why some people think they are closer to Jesus, more spiritual than others.
confessing our sins is the condition for walking in the light.

Jesus is contionually claensing us, His Blood is sufficient and the Spirit makes intercession for us when we have sinned and dont know, and He chastises us about when we do sin so that we confess it and are cleansed.

roamsn 8 is misrepresented by people who don't be totally honest about the difference between the mind on the Spirit and the mind set on the flesh. one is born again the other is lost. not 2 kinds of christians wherew some of us are more equal than others.

if you doubt it, please read romans 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8, continuing all the wqay to the end.

confession of sins receiving cleansing is THE condition for walking in the light. pretending you dont sin means walking in darkness and beinga a liar the bible said.

[episkopos]

you make it sound like a few special people go through some magic door and meet other special people who got there on their own power. that\'s wrong. we are born again from God - like the wind. not ourtselves. you are bragging about being spiritual over others and you misundertstand what the bible is saysing.

all born again christians walk in the Spirit.
therew arent 2 kinds of christians. i wonder why some people think they are closer to Jesus, more spiritual than others.
confessing our sins is the condition for walking in the light.

Jesus is contionually claensing us, His Blood is sufficient and the Spirit makes intercession for us when we have sinned and dont know, and He chastises us about when we do sin so that we confess it and are cleansed.

roamsn 8 is misrepresented by people who don't be totally honest about the difference between the mind on the Spirit and the mind set on the flesh. one is born again the other is lost. not 2 kinds of christians wherew some of us are more equal than others.

if you doubt it, please read romans 1,2,3,4,5,6,7 and 8, continuing all the wqay to the end.

confession of sins receiving cleansing is THE condition for walking in the light. pretending you dont sin means walking in darkness and beinga a liar the bible said.

Very few who are born again in our time will ever walk in the Spirit. Their walk has been short-circuited by a populist religion of salvation that is so heavily promoted throughout Christendom. God has done His part...but no further seeking is encouraged since human reasoning claims that now these who have been regenerated have "arrived"....rather than just taken the first step on a long journey. Christianity has become one more religion in the world embraced as a state religion...rather than a living way and a race to attain Christ. Why search for something you think you already have? So the middle class claims both this world AND the next for themselves.

People exclude themselves from the walk in the light through a premature reckoning of righteousness on themselves. They take one step and then stop...even thinking that to go farther is to try to be saved "by works". But one must move forward to apprehend that for which we have been saved to apprehend.

There are so few that are willing to enter the full will of God. Most seek some kind of benefit from Christ in order to add that to their own lives.

How many people are truly willing to leave all behind to follow Christ? How many are willing to have all things in common with others? Most have already determined how far is "reasonable" and will go no further. This is so unlike the woman who poured out a year's salary's worth of ointment on Jesus' head. The widow's 2 mites shows up in glaring contrast to the sacrifices of those in the middle class who have wrested Christ for their own use.

[marianna]

Very few who are born again in our time will ever walk in the Spirit. Their walk has been short-circuited by a populist religion of salvation that is so heavily promoted throughout Christendom. God has done His part...but no further seeking is encouraged since human reasoning claims that now these who have been regenerated have "arrived"....rather than just taken the first step on a long journey. Christianity has become one more religion in the world embraced as a state religion...rather than a living way and a race to attain Christ. Why search for something you think you already have? So the middle class claims both this world AND the next for themselves.

People exclude themselves from the walk in the light through a premature reckoning of righteousness on themselves. They take one step and then stop...even thinking that to go farther is to try to be saved "by works". But one must move forward to apprehend that for which we have been saved to apprehend.

There are so few that are willing to enter the full will of God. Most seek some kind of benefit from Christ in order to add that to their own lives.

How many people are truly willing to leave all behind to follow Christ? How many are willing to have all things in common with others? Most have already determined how far is "reasonable" and will go no further. This is so unlike the woman who poured out a year's salary's worth of ointment on Jesus' head. The widow's 2 mites shows up in glaring contrast to the sacrifices of those in the middle class who have wrested Christ for their own use.

born again christians will do the good works ordained for them to do. they want to because they're changed.

thats got nothing to do with salvation. they will do them. some more, some less, each according to the abilities and resources God has given. good works are caring for your neighbor (lost or saved). God doesnt need your good works. your neighbor needs them. good works include but not limited to sharing the good news, caring for the sick and lonely and so on. but they also include being a good mother and wofe, working for a living, obeying the laws of the land and so on.

your good works dfo nothing to get you saved or keep you saved, though if you are saved, you will do them since you are a new creature who has a heart to do whats right. but you'll fall shoirt every day.

johnh said anyone who says they dont sin is a liar and has not a single bit of truth in them.

you didnt address his words here:

confession of sins is the condition for walking in the light.

1 john 1
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us) 3That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

5This 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. 6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7But 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. 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

according to john is confession of sins the condition of walking in the light or isnt it?
so using good works or moral behaviour as a sign or indication of salvation or walking in the light is wrong. heathen do good works and behave morally.

what they dont do is confess their sins to God knowing Christ will cleanse us.....so we may continue walking in the light.

true or false?

[episkopos]

born again christians will do the good works ordained for them to do. they want to because they're changed.

thats got nothing to do with salvation. they will do them. some more, some less, each according to the abilities and resources God has given. good works are caring for your neighbor (lost or saved). God doesnt need your good works. your neighbor needs them. good works include but not limited to sharing the good news, caring for the sick and lonely and so on. but they also include being a good mother and wofe, working for a living, obeying the laws of the land and so on.

your good works dfo nothing to get you saved or keep you saved, though if you are saved, you will do them since you are a new creature who has a heart to do whats right. but you'll fall shoirt every day.

johnh said anyone who says they dont sin is a liar and has not a single bit of truth in them.

you didnt address his words here:

confession of sins is the condition for walking in the light.

1 john 1
1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2(For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us) 3That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. 4And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

5This 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. 6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7But 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. 8If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

according to john is confession of sins the condition of walking in the light or isnt it?
so using good works or moral behaviour as a sign or indication of salvation or walking in the light is wrong. heathen do good works and behave morally.

what they dont do is confess their sins to God knowing Christ will cleanse us.....so we may continue walking in the light.

true or false?

Those who walk in the light have no sins to confess...because they cannot repent of walking in the light. When we sin we need restoration....to our former purity. The blood of Jesus cleanses us from ALL unrighteousness, So if you believe we are never perfect then you do not believe in the efficacy of the blood of Christ.

We REMAIN in that purity by walking always in the very presence of God. If one does this it is impossible to sin. Otherwise we will still be sinning when we are in God's presence for all eternity.

Shall we continue to sin who are dead to sin? If we abide in Christ shall we not walk exactly as Jesus did on earth?

You really must look more closely at the power available through the sacrifice of God's own Son.

[glad4mercy]

Originally Posted by marianna- the bible says the Blood is applied when we confess our sins. confessing our sins is a condition to walking in the light.

Actually I agree with you, but I also believe that confessing our sins means more than just going over a list of our sins before God. I believe that confession means to agree with God both verbally and heartily regarding our sins, therefore, if a Christian is overtaken in a fault, or commits an act of sin, confession also involves Godly sorrow and repentance. But yes, I agree that confession of sin is a condition of walking in the Light. We must first realize that we have sinned, repent of it, and turn to God and confess it to Him. Then the Blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.

I do not claim to be without sin or say that I never sin. Yet Walking in the Light involves increasing light, as the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. ( Proverbs 4:18)

Thank you for your post, and blessings to you.