An Eternal Truth In A New Light Series

• Verse 7 speaks of hearing the commandments.

• In this last part of verse 7 John is identifying the source of the authority behind what he is telling us concerning the command about love.

• This command is essential to our salvation from sin.

• Next let’s turn to verse 8.

• SLIDE #6

• 1 John 2:8 (HCSB) Yet I am writing you a new command, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.

• SLIDE #7

II. John offers new light to an eternal truth.

• What does it mean to truly love another? What does it mean to love another as a member of God’s family?

• Does it mean we are just supposed to tolerate one another?

• Do you think that Jesus was “tolerating” us when He died on the cross?

• Do we just “tolerate” our children or do we love them?

• Jesus expanded to scope of love.

• SLIDE #8

• John 15:13 (HCSB) No one has greater love than this, that someone would lay down his life for his friends.

• John will build on this theme in 1 John 3:16

• SLIDE #9

• 1 John 3:16 (HCSB) This is how we have come to know love: He laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers.

• Can we relate to this thought? Are these brothers and sisters in Christ you would take a bullet for? Are there those you would throw in front of the bullet?

• I really struggle sometimes with asking if Jesus would think of a person the way I am?

• What are the boundaries of our love for one another?

• Our love for one another is a badge that identifies us as belonging to Jesus.

• Jesus plainly taught this.

• SLIDE #10

• John 13:35 (HCSB) By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

• This verse seems a bit difficult, Does Jesus mean that people will know if I am a Christian by the way I love others?

• John says this love is the badge that identifies us a belonging to Jesus.

• When a police officer comes to the door, their badge identifies them as such,

• If I cannot love those in God’s family, how will I love those who are not yet a part of the family?

• Jesus was able to teach this because he lived it.

• The darkness is passing out of the life of the one who listens to God’s will in this area.

• The closer you follow Jesus, the more light you will shine!

• Let’s look at verses 9 and 11.

• SLIDE #11

• 1 John 2:9–11 (HCSB) The one who says he is in the light but hates his brother is in the darkness until now… But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, and doesn’t know where he’s going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

• SLIDE #12

III. The consequences for rejecting the new light.

• When we say we are in the light yet hate our brother, we are not in a proper relationship with Jesus, we are walking in darkness.