1 John 1:5-10

In contrast to the gnostic heresy of the Apostle John’s day which claimed the need for special hidden knowledge (gnosis), John presents God as a revelatory God who makes himself known to his people.  He is the one who gets to define the standard of light and darkness, good and evil.  We cannot claim to be in fellowship with God’s people while continuing to willfully practice darkness without repentance.  Conversely, walking in the light binds us together — our sanctification is a group project!  As we confess our sin to our God who already knows our heart, he is faithful and just to deliver us from darkness, debt and defilement.