Walk in the Light

The three readings join in one warning and one mercy. Jehoram despised the fear of God, shed his own brothers’ blood, and walked in the ways of idolatry; Nineveh trusted in chariots, walls, and plunder; and John says plainly that a man may speak of knowing God while his deeds deny Him. Kingdoms, rulers, and private men alike fall when they love power, gain, and hatred more than the commandments of Christ. God’s judgment is not an empty threat. The body rots, cities are stripped, and the one who hates his brother stumbles toward ruin.

Yet John does not write to leave sinners in despair. He writes so that we may not sin, and when we have sinned, that we may not hide it. Christ is Advocate and propitiation, not so that men may grow careless, but so that they may repent quickly and return to obedience. As Origen says, “and He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for our sins only, but for the sins of the whole world?” Therefore no man should say, My wound is beyond healing; but neither should any man say, Peace, while he keeps hatred, greed, or lust in his house.

John gives the mark of those who truly know Him: they keep His commandments, walk as He walked, and love the brethren in deed. Cyprian warns sharply: “whosoever hates, says he, his brother, walks in darkness, and knows not whither he goes.” Let us then cast out the works of darkness: confess sin without excuse, make peace quickly, give alms from goods not needed, and keep watch over the heart, lest we become outwardly prosperous and inwardly near destruction.