This is a little long and a little redundant, sorry; I'm not real good at writing what I think i am seeing. I would love other comments on this; as i'm sure i am only seeing glimpses of something here.
Was thinking about overcoming.
I don't think overcoming means getting to the point of not ever sinning. I dont' think the flesh can be perfected. As long as we are in this fleshly body, sin will be there, and just as Paul's thorn in the flesh; we all will continue to sin until the day we die.
I think overdcoming means, that as Christ's light shines in and on us more and more, we will with increasing "eyes" see our sin, the beast; and further trust in Christ to cleanse us from those sins. Our desire will no longer be to sin, because of this light.
1Jo 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
I Jo 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
What does it mean to walk in darkness?? seems to me it means to not "see" our sin, not "see" our need for a savior, "not see" our need for Christ. We deny him by "not seeing" that we can do nothing without him. We through works of the law/flesh, filthy rags of righteousness, think we are darn good. Blind to the real truth that we are beasts.
1Jo 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
The light, doesn't cause us to stop sinning, but it does change our heart, so sin has no dominion over us. The light shows us clearly, how sinful we are, and the need for Christ. Because of the light in our heart, our desire is not to sin. When we see our constant need for him, we walk in the light, and fellowhip one with another.
1Jo 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
Seems again, walking in the light is not about "not sinning", but about seeing our sin, and the need for him.
1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
No one will see the need to confess their sin, unless the light is showing them this.
1Jo 1:10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
1Jo 2:6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
(he walked with total reliance on the father, as we are to walk in total reliance on him, only he can be our righteousness)
1Jo 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1Jo 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
One who loves the world, sees no need for Christ. Loving the world is equivalent to hating your brother.
1Jo 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
1Jo 2:23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
again seeing this denying him, as seeing no need for him, feeling prideful and smug in our own self righteousness.
1Jo 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
1Jo 3:6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. (sinneth not, not becasue we don't sin; but because of our reliance on Christ, those sins our taken care of, and becasue of Christ, they are not our desire).
1Jo 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
Again, stressing that this is not a opportunity to sin more, and confess more, as because of the Light, we have no more desire for sin; but also becasue of the Light, we see our constant need to trust and rely on Christ and confess our sin. Only by faith, total abandonment and trust on Christ can we overcome.