1 John 2:1-11
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.
Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.
Devotion
John continues his thoughts in chapter two regarding Christ’s atoning work as it relates to our sin. He begins by declaring that God does not want us to sin. But because of our imperfection, God has made ample provision for us to live holy lives. Yet because our sinful nature is not completely eradicated at our spiritual conversion, we have an Advocate who pleads our case before the Father. We will not perfectly reflect the Father until we shed these earthly vessels and receive our new glorified heavenly bodies. Until then, we must rely on Jesus to plead our case before His Holy Father.
In verse two, John writes that Jesus paid the penalty for our sin through His suffering and death. Then John makes the point that the scope of Jesus’ atoning work is not only for God’s elect, but also has the power to save every soul that has ever been born. Of course, this does not mean that every soul will be saved. Many reject the atoning work of Christ for their salvation. This does not lessen the impact or the worldwide scope of Christ’s atoning work at Calvary.
So far, John has been writing about walking in the light. Now he will shift his focus to walking in love. Love is the main theme of this letter. The word occurs thirty-three times, and John puts a great emphasis upon it. Beginning in verse three, John writes about the importance of obeying God’s Word. He writes, “But if anyone obeys His Word, God’s love is truly made complete in him.” When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, He summarized the Ten Commandments into two simple commandments: Love God and Love others! Love is at the heart of the Ten Commandments. Therefore, if we are walking in the light of God’s Word, we must also walk in love. If we are walking in the light, we must love like Jesus loved.
I find it ironic that “love” is the first fruit of the Spirit mentioned in Galatians chapter five. The antithesis of “love” is “hate.” In verse nine, John writes, “Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives in the light.” It is impossible as a child of God to walk in the light and hate your brother. If this is the case, there is something radically wrong with your confession of faith.
Questions to Ponder
What are some ways that you can resist temptation? What does practical holiness look life in the life of the believer? How do you feel about the broad scope of Christ’s atonement? Do you love like Jesus loved? What is the correlation between love and obedience? Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Who is your neighbor?
Prayer Points
- Praise our Lord, our wonderful Savior who paid it all. Sit in His presence, in awe at the wonderful work of the cross.
- Thank Him for clothing us with a garment of salvation and a robe of righteousness.
- Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal to you any offensive way. Ask Him to reveal to you any unforgiveness toward another.
- Confess your sin and pray for your heart toward that person/people, and pray for them as well.
- Pray for our church family and the Greater One Church, that we would love God and love others by the power of the Holy Spirit in us.
Suggested Prayer
Oh Father, thank You for being so kind and generous, so faithful in forgiving me and Your people of our sins when we come to You. Your love is everlasting and unceasing. I pray today that we would rise up as one body and think, respond, and act in love. As You send us out today, help all of us to yield to You and to see every opportunity that You give us to share and show Your love and light. Make us guilty of loving well. We need Your power and presence within us to help us do that. Thy will be done, oh God. In the name of Jesus Christ, I ask. Amen.