The Primacy of Love FOR ONE ANOTHER /La primacía del amor mutuo

we continue our series in the letter of 1 John and today we are going to be looking at chapter 2:7-11

Our topic for today is the Primacy of love for one anothers

La primacía del amor mutuo

if you can stand up to read God’s word

1 John 2:7–11 “Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”

1 Juan 2:7-11 Amados, no os escribo un mandamiento nuevo, sino un mandamiento antiguo, que habéis tenido desde el principio; el mandamiento antiguo es la palabra que habéis oído. Por otra parte, os escribo un mandamiento nuevo, el cual es verdadero en Él y en vosotros, porque las tinieblas van pasando, y la luz verdadera ya está alumbrando. El que dice que está en la luz, y aborrece a su hermano, está aún en tinieblas. El que ama a su hermano, permanece en la luz y no hay causa de tropiezo en él. Pero el que aborrece a su hermano, está en tinieblas y anda en tinieblas, y no sabe adónde va, porque las tinieblas han cegado sus ojos.

lets pray / oremos

Today we want to focus on 2 main point of this passage

A.The Old Yet New Command (2:7–8) / El mandamiento antiguo y a la vez nuevo (2:7-8)

B. Love and Light, Hate and Darkness (2:9–11)/ Amor y luz, odio y oscuridad (2:9-11)

A.The Old Yet New Command (2:7–8) / El mandamiento antiguo y a la vez nuevo (2:7-8)

John continues in these verses highlighting the marks of true faith .

In chapter 2:3-6 we saw that authentic faith is deeply moral a faith that is marked by God’s commandment

Now John tells us that alongside of obedience to God’s commandment a second mark of true faith is love for God’s people

Christianity has never been a solo ride El cristianismo nunca ha sido un camino solitario.

You love God you must love His people

V7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning

V7 Amados, no os escribo un mandamiento nuevo, sino un mandamiento antiguo, que habéis tenido desde el principio;

John, in a pastoral way, addresses them with love calling them ‘beloved./Amados

Beloved - from the greek word AGAPETÓS

A person who is in a special, close relationship with another

John says this is nothing new to them but is something they “had from the beginning” and “have heard.”

Undoubtedly this can refers to 2 things

1- could refer to the beginning of Scripture, as this command is also recorded in the Old Testament

Leviticus 19:18 “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.”

Levitico 19:18 No te vengarás, ni guardarás rencor a los hijos de tu pueblo, sino que amarás a tu prójimo como a ti mismo; yo soy el Señor.

The “commandment” discussed here and in the following verses is the command to love one another.

Or second the fact that from the beginning of their Christian life, from the earliest times they heard the gospel proclaimed,

they had been taught that Christians are to love one another—quite possibly as they heard John relate the words of Jesus that the apostle recorded in

John 13:34–35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Juan 13:34-35 Un mandamiento nuevo os doy: que os améis los unos a los otros; que como yo os he amado, así también os améis los unos a los otros. En esto conocerán todos que sois mis discípulos, si os tenéis amor los unos a los otros.

The call here is to love one another, and the standard for the love we must show each other is Christ’s love for us.

Christ love for us was sacrificial

Christ love for us was unconditional

Love for one another must be the distinguishing factor of Jesus’ disciples.

V8 - At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.

V8 Por otra parte, os escribo un mandamiento nuevo, el cual es verdadero en Él y en vosotros, porque las tinieblas van pasando, y la luz verdadera ya está alumbrando.

Its also a new Commandment because Jesus had brought the new covenant newness to this age old commandment

También es un mandamiento nuevo porque Jesús trajo la novedad del nuevo pacto a este mandamiento ancestral.

He gave it a new depth and quality / Le dio una nueva profundidad y calidad

The commandment to love one another was brought to new perfection in the life and supremely the death, of the Lord Jesus Christ

El mandamiento de amarnos los unos a los otros alcanzó una nueva perfección en la vida y, sobre todo, en la muerte del Señor Jesucristo.

The giving of Himself shows the depth to which Christ fulfilled this command as revealed in Scripture.

1 John 3:16 “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”

1 Juan 3:16 En esto conocemos el amor: en que Él puso su vida por nosotros; también nosotros debemos poner nuestras vidas por los hermanos.

Christ’s path to the cross marks the selfless, self-giving way of life to which his followers are called.

This is what John experienced as an Apostle of Christ

In the same way Paul calls the ephesian church to walk in the same manner

Ephesians 5:2 “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”

De la misma manera, Pablo llama a la iglesia de Éfeso a andar de la misma manera.

Efesios 5:2 y andad en amor, así como también Cristo os amó y se dio a sí mismo por nosotros, ofrenda y sacrificio a Dios, como fragante aroma.

V8 New commandment which is true in him and in you,

V8 Nuevo mandamiento el cual es verdadero en Él y en vosotros,

we see how this is true in Christ but how is true in us

Is this because we are partakers of the promises of Christ? ¿Es esto porque participamos de las promesas de Cristo?

Is this because the indwelling work of the Spirit will produce in me love, which is part of the fruit of the Spirit

In the Gospel of John he write about how Jesus ends His High Priestly Prayer by asking the Father that the very love God has for the Son would live in His disciples.

John 17:26 “I made known to them your name, and I will continue to make it known, that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them.””

En el Evangelio de Juan escribe sobre cómo Jesús termina su oración sacerdotal pidiendo al Padre que el mismo amor que Dios tiene por el Hijo viva en sus discípulos.

Juan 17:26 Yo les he dado a conocer tu nombre, y lo daré a conocer, para que el amor con que me amaste esté en ellos y yo en ellos.

This verse reveals Jesus’ heart for His people—that they would truly know God, experience His love, and be shaped by it.

Christ not only reveals the Father to us, but He places the Father’s love within us so we can live it out.

That’s what John is exhorting the local church to live by

love for one another is a mark of genuine saving faith in the believer’s life.”

is a mark that the love of the father is in us

V8- darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.

V8- tinieblas van pasando, y la luz verdadera ya está alumbrando.

This world is characterized by darkness and rebellion— against God and His word and is in the process of passing away, while the true light is already shinning

John 1:9 “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.”

Este mundo se caracteriza por la oscuridad y la rebelión contra Dios y su palabra, y está en proceso de desaparecer, mientras que la verdadera luz ya brilla.

Juan 1:9 Existía la luz verdadera que, al venir al mundo, alumbra a todo hombre.

Christ is the final and perfect revelation of God’s love

even tough the darkness has not yet fully passed away there is nothing more certain that it will

Aunque la oscuridad aún no ha desaparecido por completo, no hay nada más seguro de que lo hará.

B. Love and Light, Hate and Darkness (2:9–11)/ Amor y luz, odio y oscuridad (2:9-11)

Metaphorically, light symbolizes knowledge, understanding, and divine presence, whereas darkness represents ignorance, confusion, and moral failure.

Metafóricamente, la luz simboliza el conocimiento, la comprensión y la presencia divina, mientras que la oscuridad representa la ignorancia, la confusión y el fracaso moral.

This duality is prevalent in biblical texts, where light often signifies righteousness and divine favor, while darkness is associated with wickedness and divine judgment.

Esta dualidad es frecuente en los textos bíblicos, donde la luz a menudo significa justicia y favor divino, mientras que la oscuridad se asocia con la maldad y el juicio divino.

we see examples of this in

Romans 13:12 “The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.”

Romanos 13:12 La noche está muy avanzada, y el día está cerca. Por tanto, desechemos las obras de las tinieblas y vistámonos con las armas de la luz

In a similar way Paul says to the Ephesians

Ephesians 5:8 “for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light”

Efesios 5:8 porque antes erais tinieblas, pero ahora sois luz en el Señor; andad como hijos de luz

Now, in this section, John is taking the metaphor of light and darkness and applying it to our relationships with one another.

1 John 2:9 “Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 1 Juan 2:9El que dice que está en la luz, y aborrece a su hermano, está aún en tinieblas.

John is using the same type of style he used before in our previous passages

Someone is claiming to be something and doing the opposite

this is very black and white no need to beat around the bush

“John speaks plainly: you can’t claim to walk in the light and hate your brother at the same time. Hatred proves you’re still in darkness.” Juan lo dice claramente: no puedes afirmar que andas en la luz y odiar a tu hermano al mismo tiempo. El odio demuestra que aún estás en tinieblas.

Verse 9 essentially says, “If you say you are in the light experiencing the life of God, yet you continually hate your brother, only one conclusion can be drawn: El versículo 9 dice esencialmente: «Si dices que estás en la luz experimentando la vida de Dios, pero odias continuamente a tu hermano, solo se puede llegar a una conclusión:

You are still in darkness, the realm of spiritual death and moral corruption, evil and wickedness.

Why such strong language Because John associates hate with murder

1 John 3:15 “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.”

En otras palabras aún estás en tinieblas, en el reino de la muerte espiritual y la corrupción moral, del mal y la maldad».

¿Por qué? tan fuerte lenguaje Porque Juan asocia el odio con el asesinato.

1 Juan 3:15 Todo el que aborrece a su hermano es homicida, y vosotros sabéis que ningún homicida tiene vida eterna permanente en él.

Now In verse 10 provides the contrast:

v10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. V10 El que ama a su hermano, permanece en la luz y no hay causa de tropiezo en él.

Walking in the light is characterized as loving one’s brother.

This is remarkable: John is likely saying that when we love one another, the light of God’s truth shines through us in such a way that we do not become a source of stumbling for other believers.

1 Corinthians 13:4–5 “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;”

Esto es notable: es probable que Juan esté diciendo que cuando nos amamos unos a otros, la luz de la verdad de Dios brilla a través de nosotros de tal manera que no nos convertimos en fuente de tropiezo para otros creyentes.

1 Corintios 13:4-5 El amor es paciente, es bondadoso; el amor no tiene envidia; el amor no es jactancioso, no es arrogante; no se porta indecorosamente; no busca lo suyo, no se irrita, no toma en cuenta el mal recibido;

“Love is patient” — Am I patient with my brothers and sisters when they fall short? «El amor es paciente» — ¿Soy paciente con mis hermanos y hermanas cuando cometen errores?

“Love is kind” — Am I showing kindness to one another in my tone, words, and actions? «El amor es bondadoso» — ¿Demuestro bondad los unos a los otros en mi tono, palabras y acciones?

“Love does not envy” — Am I rejoicing in others’ blessings, or envying them? «El amor no tiene envidia» — ¿Me alegro de las bendiciones de los demás o los envidio?

“Love does not boast” — Am I lifting myself up instead of building others up? «El amor no se jacta» — ¿Me enaltezco en lugar de edificar a los demás?

“Love is not arrogant” — Am I walking humbly toward one another, or acting above them? «El amor no es arrogante» — ¿Camino humildemente hacia los demás o me comporto con superioridad?

“Love is not rude” — Am I treating my brothers and sisters with honor, or being dismissive and sharp? «El amor no es grosero» — ¿Trato a mis hermanos y hermanas con honor o soy desdeñoso y cortante?

“It does not insist on its own way” — Am I preferring others, or insisting that things go my way? «No busca lo suyo» — ¿Prefiero a los demás o insisto en que las cosas se hagan a mi manera?

“It is not irritable” — Am I easily irritated with one another, or responding with grace? «No se irrita» — ¿Me irrito fácilmente con los demás o respondo con gracia?

“It is not resentful” — Am I keeping a record of others’ wrongs, or freely forgiving as Christ forgave me? «No guarda rencor» — ¿Guardo rencor por las ofensas de los demás o perdono libremente como Cristo me perdonó?

v11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” v11 Pero el que aborrece a su hermano, está en tinieblas y anda en tinieblas, y no sabe adónde va, porque las tinieblas han cegado sus ojos.

Hating a brother causes one to walk in darkness. The darkness blinds their eyes, which means they will stumble when trying to find/follow God

Odiar a un hermano conduce a caminar en la oscuridad. La oscuridad ciega los ojos, lo que significa que tropezarán al intentar encontrar o seguir a Dios.

To behave in such a way is self delusion of our Christian profession

Comportarse de esa manera es un autoengaño de nuestra profesión cristiana.

whatever we might say with our lips our lives — how we live reveals the truth of our confession

Brothers and sisters, we are not to be walking in darkness; therefore, let your love for one another be evident.

We are to be walking advertisement for the light of the gospel in a dying world

Showing in our love for one another the transforming power of the Spirit of Christ in our lives

There is an old hymn titled “Trust and Obey” John H. Sammis

When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word, what a glory He sheds on our way!

While we do His good will, He abides with us still, and with all who will trust and obey.

Trust and obey for there’s no other way to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.

Cuando caminamos con el Señor a la luz de su Palabra, ¡qué gloria derrama sobre nuestro camino!

Mientras hacemos su voluntad, Él permanece con nosotros y con todos los que confían y obedecen.

Confía y obedece, pues no hay otro camino para ser feliz en Jesús, sino confiar y obedecer.

You see, to trust Him, you must first know Him— Verás, para confiar en Él, primero debes conocerlo:

know Him as the One who has been from the beginning; conocerlo como el que ha existido desde el principio;

know Him as the One who is the Word of life and the eternal life; conocerlo como la Palabra de vida y vida eterna;

know Him as the Son of the Father in whom there in no darkness at all; conocerlo como el Hijo del Padre en quien no hay ninguna oscuridad;

know Him as the cleanser and forgiver of sins; conocerlo como el que limpia y perdona los pecados;

know Him as your advocate and atonement. |conocerlo como tu abogado y redención.

To know Him is to trust Him, and to trust Him is to obey Him. Conocerlo es confiar en Él, y confiar en Él es obedecerle.

And when you do, you will experience a Joy in Jesus that will indeed be a glory that He will shed on your way.

Y cuando lo hagas, experimentarás un gozo en Jesús que será una verdadera gloria que Él derramará sobre tu camino.

So if you are in christ today

Romans 13:8 “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law.”

Romanos 13:8 No debáis a nadie nada, sino el amaros unos a otros; porque el que ama a su prójimo, ha cumplido la ley.

But if you are not in Christ know

2 Corinthians 4:4 “In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

2 Corintios 4:4 en tu caso el dios de este mundo ha cegado el entendimiento de los incrédulos, para que no vean el resplandor del evangelio de la gloria de Cristo, que es la imagen de Dios.

Lets pray / Oremos