Walking and washed

John uses short words to express big ideas. He is plain but profound, and straight as can be in setting out what it means to be a true Christian. First, he identifies a condition: "if we walk in the light." This speaks of sincere and progressing holiness of life, with no sin indulged. Second, he offers a clarification: the quality of this holiness is derived from God himself—"as he is in the light." Finally, he identifies the consequences of such a life in communion with God: fellowship with others so walking, and the confidence that we are being cleansed in the blood of Jesus Christ.