Love One Another

Love One Another

1st John 2:7-14

Jeff Hughes

I. Introduction

a. By way of introduction, let’s briefly look at the five verses we studied last time.

b. First, we looked at the topic of obedience, using verse 3 as our text. We found that obeying the Lord’s commands was critical to knowing Him, which flew in the face of the Gnostic teachers John was trying to combat.

c. Next, we looked at disobedience, using verse 4. We saw here that this verse serves to emphasize the previous verse, drawing out the truth of verse 3, with a strong contrast.

d. Third, we examined what keeping meant in verse 5. We learned that by the words John uses, we as Christians are to guard God’s Word in our heart. By this God’s love will flow out of our lives into the lives of others.

e. For our last topic, we looked at verse 6, and abiding in Him. We saw that abiding entailed patience, it means to remain in. If we are to abide in Him, we are to walk as He walked, meaning we are to strive to emulate Christ.

f. Tonight, we’re going to focus on the topic of Loving One Another, our text will come out of 1 John 2:7-14

II. Illustration:

a. What is love?

i. It is silence--when your words would hurt.

ii. It is patience--when your neighbor’s curt.

iii. It is deafness--when a scandal flows.

iv. It is thoughtfulness--for other’s woes.

v. It is promptness--when stern duty calls.

vi. It is courage--when misfortune falls

III. Study

a. Text - 7 Brethren, F2 I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 12 I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake. 13 I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, because you have known the Father. 14 I have written to you, fathers, because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.

b. The Commandment

i. The Old Commandment v. 7

1. 7 Brethren, F2 I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.

2. Isn’t it interesting here to note that John does not state the commandment? It is as if he assumes that the readers know what it is. It would seem that this commandment was something very basic, something they knew well.

3. It also appears that the old commandment is something that they had heard for a long time, from the beginning. So, what beginning is John talking about? The beginning of the universe, like John 1:1? I don’t think so. I think John is referring to the beginning God’s covenant with Abraham.

4. What would you think the commandment is?

5. In Leviticus chapter 19, we read two verses: verse 18: 18 You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord. And verse 34: The stranger who dwells among you shall be to you as one born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.

6. I think this is what John had in mind. This was the commandment that the Moses carried to the children of Israel. This set them apart from the nations around them, and opened a way of salvation to those around them. They could move into the land of Israel, and be accepted. At that point they could become Jews, and find favor in God’s sight.

ii. The New Commandment v. 8-11

1. 8 Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.