The Command is Love

1 John 2:7-11

Where we are to this point.

The Message we seen and heard, that which we were eyewitnesses to we declare unto you. (1 John 1:1-4).

If we walk in the Light- God is light and anyone claiming to walk in the Light will walk like Christ. (1 John 1:5-10).

Our Advocate - The Christian life is a call to forsake sin, yet we have an Advocate if we do sin. The one who keeps his word loves him. (1 John 2:1-6).

Today

Verse 7:

Let us realize from the beginning of this message, that this is not a suggestion to be accepted or dismissed. This is a Command!

First the old command:

Leviticus 19:18 “Do not take revenge or bear a grudge against members of your community, but love your neighbor as yourself; I am the Lord.”

Matthew 22:39 “The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Romans 13:9 “The commandments, Do not commit adultery; do not murder; do not steal; do not covet; and any other commandment, are summed up by this commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Even in the Old Testament the command was love. Love for God and Love for your neighbor.

Verse 8:

Yet it is a New Command:

John 13:34–35 ““I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.””

Jesus’ Love went further than the perception of the law by others.

Matthew 5:43–44 ““You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,”

Luke 6:27–28 ““But I say to you who listen: Love your enemies, do what is good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

John 15:12 ““This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you.”

How is it that Jesus loved us?

He lay down his life for us - Jn. 10:11, 15:13, 1 Jn. 3:16.

While we were yet sinners - Rom. 5:8. We didn’t deserve it, we had not earned it. Before we were sorry for our sins. We were still enthralled by our sins and driven by our passions.

While we were his enemies - Rom. 5:6-10.

While we were alienated from God and hostile to him - Col. 1:21-22.

Are you ready to follow this example?

Is this your understanding of Love?

Verse 9:

Again, “the one who says that he is in the light”, here is the claim, the confession, rather the profession of faith! Yet, let’s weigh if it is genuine.

Note but if he hates his brother or sister is still in darkness even until now.

Verse 10:

Here is the Truth, the Facts of the matter, the evidence/proof of genuine faith. This is someone who is genuinely in the light.

What is the proof? The one who actually loves his brother or sister!

1 Corinthians 13.

He who is patient with their brother or sister

He who is kind to his brother and sister

He who does not envy them

He who does not boastful toward his brother or sister.

He who is not arrogant toward his brother or sister.

He who is not rude to his brother or sister.

He who puts them first, they are selfless and not selfish.

He who is not irritable toward his brother or sister.

He who does not keep a record of their wrongs.

He who does not rejoice in their unrighteous behavior, but who rejoices in the truth enough to tell them.

He who bears with his brother or sister.

He who believes good and care for his brother or sister.

He who hopes the best for his brother or sister.

He who endures the hardship of loving his brother or sister.

His love for them has no end.

Love is no respecter of persons - Gal 3:28, Jam. 2:1-4.

Verse 11:

Reiterating test to see who is still in Darkness.

Application

Reflecting Christ’s Love in Your Relationships

Loving Beyond Your Comfort Zones