THE DARKNESS OF HATRED

See 1 John 2:3-11

1 John 2:3–11 NASB 2020

By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments. The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever follows His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says that he remains in Him ought, himself also, walk just as He walked. Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. The one who says that he is in the Light and yet hates his brother or sister is in the darkness until now. The one who loves his brother and sister remains in the Light, and there is nothing in him to cause stumbling. But the one who hates his brother or sister is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Why do you hate me so much?

The text is a summary of the first five chapters of the biblical book of 1 John. It begins by emphasizing the reality of the Incarnate Word, Jesus Christ, who was revealed as the eternal life from the Father. The author encourages believers to have fellowship with one another and with God, highlighting that God is light and there is no darkness in Him. It stresses the importance of confessing sins for forgiveness and cleansing.

In Chapter 2, the text introduces Jesus as an advocate for believers, urging them to keep His commandments as evidence of knowing Him. It warns against loving the world, stating that the love of the Father is not in those who do. The chapter also discusses the presence of antichrists and the importance of remaining in the truth.

Chapter 3 focuses on the love of God, identifying believers as children of God and emphasizing the necessity of loving one another. It contrasts the behaviors of children of God and children of the devil, asserting that love is a defining characteristic of true believers.

Chapter 4 encourages testing spirits to discern truth from falsehood, affirming that God is love and that love among believers is essential. It reiterates that one cannot claim to love God while hating others.

Finally, Chapter 5 discusses the victory over the world through faith in Jesus Christ, affirming that eternal life is found in Him. The text concludes with a reminder to guard against idols, reinforcing the central themes of love, truth, and faith in Christ.