1 John 2:7-14

1 John 2:7-14
Today we look at the old and the new! The commandment to love one another comes from the Old Testament. It is old but it is also new because Jesus came and lived out what this truly means. His love shows us the true meaning of self-sacrifice and giving without expecting anything in return. He even loved His enemies, and He commands us to do the same (Matthew 5:43-48)! Jesus is the light of the world, and so we are to be living in the light. "If anyone claims, 'I am living in the light,' but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves another brother or sister is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. But anyone who hates another brother or sister is still living and walking in darkness." vv. 9-11 John often used the images of light and darkness to illustrate the Christian life as opposed to a life without the Lord.

And so we see another evidence of our salvation. I will include it with the one we saw last time.

• We will obey His commandments. vv. 3-4
• We will love other believers. vv. 9-11

In vv. 12-14, John assures us that he is writing to believers of all ages and maturity levels. We are truly a family because our sins have been forgiven through Jesus. Some are mature in the faith; others are young, but strong. We are God's children because we know the Father, and we know Christ, who existed from the beginning. God' Word lives in our hearts!