In 1 John 1, verse 7 is absolute. I am walking in the light, as God is in the light. We have fellowship one with another. And the blood cleanses from all sin. These are the three parts of Christian standing.
The law takes up the conduct fitting for man as man; but, now the vail is rent, the question is, can I stand in God's presence in the full light, without any vail at all? This is quite another thing. If I can stand there, then I can have to say to God. And I have boldness to enter into the holiest, and the effect of the light is to show me that I am as white as snow.
Ques. Then would you say that every Christian is walking in the light?
Yes, he is walking in it, but I would not say according to it; he may not even know his privileges.
Ques. Would you say that a Christian is walking in darkness when he commits sin?
He would be walking according to darkness.
Ques. Does not John suppose a Christian walking in darkness?
No, never. I get no uncertainty; as being a Christian my walk is in God's light, according to His nature. The passage does not contemplate failure or otherwise.
If any one cannot view such statements abstractly, he will never understand them at all.
That is really nonsense, and abominable doctrine, too; the flesh tries to hinder me from walking spiritually; the true reading should be, " So that ye should not do."
Ques. Is being " in Christ " the same thing as having the Holy Ghost?
It is not the same thing, but I know it by the Holy Ghost. " In that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you," that is when the Holy Ghost is given.
Ques. It says that Christ as High Priest is " made higher than the heavens "?
Yes, because that is where I must go.