1 John 2 - 6.2.26
SCRIPTURE: 1 JOHN 2:9 - 11
“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.”
OBSERVATION:
The Apostle John is writing to the believers he has ministered to and warning about false teachers. The church body was under attack from these false teachers and John was trying to guide and direct them through it all. These specific verses were for both sides - the faithful believers and the false teachers. The false teachers were the ones who were claiming to be “in the light” of God yet had treated others with hate. There’s also the chance some of the true believers were also hating their brothers and sisters who were false teachers. John is showing that if you claim the light of God is within you, and you hate another in the church, you are the one in darkness.
This scripture makes a compelling yet straightforward case of how to treat our brothers and sisters in Christ. Even if they are spreading false teachings, we are told to love them. If we show that kind of love, we are living in the light. On the opposite side, hating others in the Church means we are not fultilling Christ’s commandment in John 13:34 NIV:
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
I remember a message Pastor Levi spoke about which included the darkness he experienced in a Colorado cave. As he shared his memory, it reminded me of the time our family was probably in that exact same cave. We were instructed to turn off our flashlights and then bam - the darkness was incredible. I put my hand up in front of my face and could not see anything. The darkness was almost tangible and eerie. The thought of living in that type of darkness is scary. Not living in the light of Jesus is the scariest of all to me.
APPLICATION
Everything is centered around love - our salvation, faith, and ministry all hinge on the love Christ gave to us. Christ’s love is lived out in action. It’s not just a word to throw around but in how we treat one another and handle conflict. Our life and actions should be seen through and lived out with the lens of Christ’s love.
John 15:12 NIV: “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”
Love and light are one in the same. If you love one another, you are in the light. If you don’t love, you’re not only living in darkness but you don’t know where you’re going and are blinded. Hate is darkness with no light at all. I can’t imagine living in darkness like that cave. Can you imagine, just for moment, that type of darkness and separation from Christ?
I encourage you to make amends with any brother or sister that you hate. Confess the hate so you don’t live in darkness. Turn your hate into love. Not sure how? Remember Christ showed his love for us all on the cross. Use the same love that Christ showed to you towards others. Put on your Jesus glasses and see the light. Even false teachers in the Church deserve the same love that Christ showed in His death on the cross.
Romans 5:8 - “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for your never ending love. When I think of the depth of love that you showed me by dying an awful death, just so I can have eternal life with you, it brings me to tears. Your love is deep. Your love is the light in my life. Forgive me for any time I didn’t show love to a brother or sister - for any reason - because you command us to “love one another as I have loved you.” Let your light and love in my life permeate to others. Being in the darkness, stumbling and not knowing where I’m going is a scary thought. I never want to be in that position. Help me to love the unloveable. Thank you for loving me even when I make mistakes and don’t do what’s right. I love you, Lord. Thank you for loving me. In Jesus name! Amen and Amen!!
- Mary Oberg
