To Love Is God’s Commandment Series

To Love is God’s Commandment

1 John Bible Study, Part 4

1 John 2:7-17

Introduction

- Last week, John gave us tremendous insight into living fully for Christ

• We have an Advocate

• We must live for Him

• God makes us complete

- V4 is the confirmation of this statement: “Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar … AND the truth is not in that person.”

- Caution: We are not all going to live perfect lives, admit it

-- We are also all going to sin and have to ask for forgiveness of our sin

-- The problem is this: When your sin no longer bothers you; then v4 is you

- If we take serious the commands of God, then God’s love is made complete in us

-- If we obey the Word, we are made complete because He dwells within us

- Tonight, John continues to encourage us by furthering his explanations

-- It is when we see why he says what he does, that our encouragement is found

- Read 1 John 2:7-17 / Pray

∆ Point 1 – A New Command Repeated (7-8)

- John gives us what looks like a contradiction of words:

-- Not writing a new command … but says he’s writing a new command?

-- Let’s first examine the command: It’s that we love one another

- Leviticus 19:18, “Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.”

- Then Jesus said (and echoed) this very thing to the disciples:

- John 15:12, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.”

- It is an old command in that “old” refers to a time when it was given

- Yet, it is a new command because Jesus just gave it ~60 years earlier

-- The evidence we have as proof is His death and resurrection

-- APP: He is the complete example that you and I need in order to be free

-- 1 Peter 2:21, “To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his steps.”

- IMP: We NOW have a clearer understanding of what living for God looks like

-- The power of the Holy Spirit has been given to all that believe in Christ

-- The church has joined together to serve and help those in need

-- And it’s through LOVE that Christians demonstrate the life of Christ

- TRANS: If we love, then we cannot live in the darkness without light

∆ Point 2 – Light vs. Dark (9-11)

- John once again puts light and darkness in opposition to one another

-- Fact: It is impossible to walk in the light while living in the darkness

-- APP: It is asking us something simple: Do you love? Or do you hate?

- Challenge: Are we constantly seeking the betterment of one another?

-- Or, are we living in a way that tramples one another so we can be exalted?

- We are not commanded to feel a certain way towards one another

-- But to act in a way that demonstrates what we have been commanded

-- IMP: When we act out of God’s command we demonstrate love for all

- John’s teaching covers not just Christian love, but love for all persons

-- We are blind and without direction if we stumble in the darkness all the time

-- APP: John is saying, “Quit living with blinders on, there’s more to do!”

- We are called to live in love towards one another, which is in the light

-- 1 John 1:6, “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.”

- TRANS: How can we claim to be a Christian and not have love for all we see?

∆ Point 3 – Who do we live for? (12-17)

- John continues with what may be a confusing section in the middle of this

- John addresses three groups of people: dear children, fathers, young men

-- Some commentary discusses this has to do with spiritual maturity

-- Others indicate this is merely three age groups being identified

-- Both hold validity; we won’t argue the literal list – but look at wording

- John writes because:

• Because your sins have been forgiven (12)

• Because we know the One who always has been (13)

• Because we have overcome the evil one (13)

• Because we know the Father (14)

• Because we know that He always has been (14)

• Because you are strong (14)

• Because the Word lives in us (14)