The first epistle of John is a great sequel to John’s gospel. While the gospel tells us how to RECEIVE eternal life, the epistle then tells us how to ENJOY this new life! The beloved apostle  repeatedly encourages his “little children” to walk in obedience, truth, and love. This type of walk will provide assurance of eternal life and will help maintain a rich quality of fellowship with God and other believers. In the opening verses of the letter John can hardly contain himself over the joy of having a first-hand experience with the Lord Jesus Christ. He passionately desires that his readers enjoy the same quality of fellowship that he enjoys. He explains that this will require a recognition that God is light, perfectly holy and separate from sin, and that they “walk in the light.” Such a walk will involve honesty and transparency before God and regular confession of sin. This walk is needed to maintain a joyful relationship with the Lord and to serve Him well as we show forth His light in a dark world.