1 John 2:7-11

1 John 2:7–11 “7 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. 8 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. 9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. 11 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.”

In my Study I found this information. John makes the Christian life simple. He tells you know to Know Jesus, How to Obey God, and how to love others.

Now I am convinced that in order to love others the right way you have to love God first.

the writer of first John is the same writer of the gospel of John and he writes in that book. John 13:34–35 “34 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. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.””

This command comes from Leviticus 19:18 “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.”

John Piper says.. This  [verse] is a very remarkable rebuke to typical gospel preaching and witnessing today. For John, the commandment of love belongs to what people should hear from the beginning! It is not an optional stage two in Christian growth.

... The gospel contains not only the commandment to trust Jesus, but also the commandment, in the power of that trust, to be changed into a loving person. (*The One Who Lives In Light"

When we keep on reading on we see that Gods love is seen most truly in Him in His followers.

Jesus embodies of what it looks like to love ones neighbor. He loved all kinds of people we see that in the gospels he called them all to repentance as well but he loved em enough to die for them.

Him dying on the cross is our motivation to love others. There is no other motivation that lasts then that truth.

If you want to know what love looks like—look at the cross.

That’s where: love is not just spoken love is not just felt love is demonstrated

The cross is the clearest picture of God’s love.

Here is some scripture example of that love..

God demonstrated his love by giving his only Son so that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).

This wasn’t a transaction made when humanity deserved it; God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Rom 5:8).

Love is not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins (1 John 4:9–10).

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all demonstrates how he will graciously give us all things (Rom 8:32).

Everlasting and Steadfast Love

God’s love transcends time and circumstance. The Lord has loved us with an everlasting love and continued his faithfulness to us (Jer 31:3).

Though mountains may depart and hills be removed, God’s steadfast love shall not depart from us, and his covenant of peace shall not be removed (Isa 54:10).

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end and are new every morning (Lam 3:22–23).

Intimate and Protective Love

The Father has given us a kind of love that we should be called children of God (1 John 3:1).

The Lord rejoices over us with gladness, quiets us by his love, and exults over us with loud singing (Zeph 3:17).

Nothing—neither death nor life, nor anything else in all creation—will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:38–39).

Because of Jesus: we can know what it looks like personally to love others, and because of Jesus we have a community to love, and the power of the Holy Spirit to tell us how to love, and his Word.

Scripture provide examples of how believers should express love toward one another through both character and action.

Love Through Sacrifice and Service

Jesus established the standard by commanding his disciples to love one another just as he had loved them (John 13:34–35), and believers should be willing to lay down their lives for one another (1 John 3:16–18).

This radical commitment extends to practical generosity: when someone sees a brother in need yet closes their heart, God’s love cannot abide in them—love must be demonstrated through action and truth, not merely words (1 John 3:16–18).

The strong have an obligation to bear with the weak’s failings rather than please themselves, seeking to build others up rather than serve their own interests (Rom 15:1–2).

Love Through Character and Attitude

Love is patient and kind, neither envious nor boastful; it doesn’t insist on its own way, grow irritable, or keep score of wrongs, but instead rejoices in truth and endures all things (1 Cor 13:4–7).

Believers should abandon selfish ambition and count others more significant than themselves, looking not only to their own interests but also to the interests of others (Phil 2:1–4).

This involves cultivating compassion, kindness, humility, and patience—bearing with one another, forgiving as the Lord forgave, with love binding everything together in perfect harmony (Col 3:12–14).

Love Through Community

Since God loved us so completely, we ought to love one another; when we do, God abides in us and his love reaches its fullness (1 John 4:7–12).

Believers should stir one another toward love and good works through regular community, encouraging each other as the Day approaches (Heb 10:24–25).

This means being kind and tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave us (Eph 4:32).

God does not want us to separate the loving God and loving people.

What are some of the ways you remember Jesus loving others?

What are some ways that we can love others?

Last three verses.. Really show us the truth that if you do not love other brothers and sisters in Christ you dont really know God.

Verse 11. 4 things are true for you if you are without love.

You are in the darkness ( there is language there that you are spiritually dead )

You live in darkness .

You do not have direction you don’t know where you are going.

You are blind.

Hands (What we must do — expanded application)

. Deal with bitterness quickly Hate in this passage isn’t just extreme—it includes lingering resentment.

Refuse to rehearse offenses in your mind

Forgive even when they haven’t asked

Pray for people you struggle with (this reshapes your heart)

Meet real needs, not just say kind words Love is not talk—it’s action.

Provide a meal, help financially, show up physically

Look for needs in your church body and step in

Ask: “What would actually help them right now?”

5Be intentional in community Love doesn’t grow in isolation.

Show up consistently (not just when it’s convenient)

Encourage someone specifically each week

Invite people into your life, not just church events

Love across inconvenience and difference Jesus loved all kinds of people—you don’t get to pick easy ones.

Move toward people who are different from you

Be patient with those who are hard to love

Refuse favoritism

Make the cross your daily motivation Don’t let love run on feelings—it won’t last.

Remind yourself daily: “Christ loved me when I didn’t deserve it”

Let that truth fuel how you treat others

Preach the gospel to yourself before expecting love from yourself

Something from my study said..

“If you’re walking in the light, people around you should experience it—not just hear you talk about it.”