"He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes."
I John 2:9-11
John reminded us in the preceding verses that God's law is summed up in loving God first and also loving those around us. Now don't be confused; the law is not simply reduced to our finite understanding of love, but is instead summed up in perfect love which we know comes when we are obedient. As with everything in Christianity, it all starts with God. He makes us able to love and we are to love Him first and foremost. Then we are to love our neighbors, not with the same love, but as we love ourselves.
Love is perfected in us through obedience to Jesus. And as such that shows that we are in the light and belong to God. So that there is no confusion, John expressly tells us that the opposite is true as well. He that hates his brother is blinded by darkness and there is no light in him. He thinks only for himself and not of anyone else. Even if there were good deeds shown to others his intent is only for his own pleasure and these works will one day be shown that they are not of God. He who is in darkness is an enemy of light; he who lives in sin is an enemy of God.
But he that loves and prefers those around him as he would himself can be confident that he is in the light of God and that Jesus is his Lord. He can know without a doubt that his father is God and he then has no reason to faint in hard times, to worry about what the Father has ordained, or to dread His wrath. Others see this light and they know which he belongs to because the light that shines through him reveals whether they are in the light or darkness.
Does this light shine through you to others, or does it shine from someone else upon you revealing your works of darkness? Are you wondering to whom you belong? God has provided this letter to reassure His own of how we can know we belong to Him and how we know those who are not. Everyone loves something, what does the object of your love say about you?
Consider also: Matthew 5:43-48; Colossians 1:9-17
2 comments:
This is a reminder for me, that when I am bothered (convicted) by the life of another, I need to look at my own life closely. Am I living in such a way that appears to others to be walking in darkness? Am I in fact choosing a dark path? Good post for serious observation and introspection.
^ what he said; it's oft the things we are bothered about in others that are our own failures and sin as well. Sometimes we are tested in difficult situations; what proceeds proves our heart and whether we love the brethren despite failures. As I've learned recently, a good wife never speaks reproachfully of her husband in public - regardless of his faults - and yet I am convinced this applies to others as well. Unless as given instruction in Scriptures to reprove a person, we should not speak ill ever. Always covering transgressions with mercy and love as Christ did for us. *convicted* thanks for sharing!
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