FIRST JOHN

The Command to Love

1 John 2:8-17

INTRODUCTION

The Hebrew people had a different way of teaching topics than we in western culture. We want to introduce a topic and then develop that topic fully before we go on to another topic. Once we have finished that topic, we feel like we don't need to address it any more. The Hebrews, on the other hand, would introduce a topic, introduce a second topic, etc., and then return to the first topic to develop it further, and so on with the second and third topics, etc. Then they would return to the first topic again for the third time and so the cycle would go on and on.

Two excellent examples of this approach are found here in 1 John and also in James. For example, in his letter James will introduce the topic of wealth in the first chapter, speak about it again in chapter 2, and finally hammer it home in the fifth chapter. He will introduce the topic of the tongue in the first chapter and develop it more fully in the third, fourth, and fifth chapters.

Which way is more effective? In the Christian life, John and James' way is more effective. Do we honestly think that we can process love completely on the first sitting? Do we really think that we can understand all there is to God just by doing a one-time intensive study of God? I sincerely doubt it. In order to grow, we need to keep returning to these topics and delving deeper and deeper each time we return to those topics.

First John has three topics it wants to develop. Those topics are (1) the challenge to holiness, (2) the call to love, and (3) the person of Jesus Christ. Last session we looked at holiness (obeying Christ's commandments); this session will look at the call to love.

WE LIVE AT A UNIQUE PERIOD IN HISTORY (2:8)

In the last session John introduced some serious tension in his discussion on sin and holiness. First, he claimed that we were sinners and that we had better not try to deny it. Second, he claimed that we were to live holy lives. PERIOD. Holiness was not an option. Look at the conflict these 2 ideas create: sinners are to live holy lives. The truth is that we are sinners and we are to live holy lives. John admits that we are going to blow it though and reminds us of Jesus' continuing to forgive us.

Why this conflict? Why this tension? Chapter 2, verse 8 gives us much needed insight: "On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you which is true in you and in Him because the darkness is _________________ _____________ and the true light is _______________ ________________."

John is saying that the world living at a unique time in history. We are living at a period in time when both darkness and light co-exist. Now that might seem strange; however, we experience this phenomenon twice each day. What times of the day do darkness and light co-exist? Noon? Dusk? Midnight? Dawn?

Now look back at verse 8. According to verse 8 at what time of the day then are we living? Noon? Dusk? Midnight? Dawn?

John who wrote both this letter and Revelation gives Jesus a wonderful title in Rev. 22: . What is that title? "I am the bright and ____________ __________."

Once you understand this, you can basically understand history. Before the coming of Christ, the world was plunged into darkness. There was a candle shining in the nation of Israel; however, the darkness almost complete overwhelmed it. It was a candle shining at midnight. With the coming of Christ though, the light has dawned upon us. Darkness is still here; however, it is by no means completely dark. Rather light is definitely shining from the east. When Christ returns, the darkness will be dispelled and we shall live in the full light of the noon-day Son.

The same is true for us here and now. Before I became a Christian, I lived in darkness. When I became a Christian, Jesus, the light of the world, came to live within me. Now I am not fully light because darkness dwells in me. I will still sin, hopefully not as much as I used to; however, I will still sin. BUT because Christ the light lives in me, I can experience victory over sin on a continual basis--not permanent basis but continual basis. When Christ does return and only when Christ returns will I experience complete perfection and light. In Rev. 22:3 we see that the curse on mankind finally be lifted. When will that happen?

This does not mean that we are not to try to live holy lives. A major difference between Christianity and Gnosticism is that Gnosticism claimed that perfection was a present-day experience. In effect they were saying that the time of perfection had already come. Christianity claims that this time of perfection has NOT yet come. It will come only when Christ Himself returns. In the meantime, give yourself a break when you sin, ask for forgiveness, reconcile with the person you wronged, and then move on.

THE COMMAND TO LOVE (2:9-11)

Because John is going to deal more fully with love in chapter 4, let's just introduce the topic right here. Just because you claim something is true does not mean it is true. For example, in verse 9 some people who hate their brothers are claiming they are in the light. What though is true about such people?

On the other hand, what is true about the person who loves his brother (2:10)?

Finally, what is true about the person who hates his brother (2:11)?

Notice that John here is speaking about love for the brother. Who is this brother? The Christian brother. His church is going through great turmoil because of the Gnostic invasion. Many are leaving the church. Those leaving are despising those who are staying and those staying are condemning those who are leaving. That will not do. When I turn on a fellow Christian, whose son am I turning on?

When I turn on a Christian woman, whose daughter am I turning on?

Normally, when we confess our sins, we think about lustful thoughts, bad language, stealing, etc. C. S. Lewis though grew to realize that whenever he confessed his sins at night that he discovered that most of his sins were sins against love. Do I act out of love whenever I respond to a situation, when I am around other people? Or is it always about me or MY family or MY beliefs, etc.?