Light and Darkness
The Apostle John writes,
“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.
Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.
But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.” 1 John 2:9-11.
Throughout John’s writings we see this recurrent theme of Love. Indeed it is not just a recurrent theme with John. It is the main theme of the whole New Testament.
John quotes Jesus speaking of himself as saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.
Jesus emphasised the importance of love when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Prior to that Matthew records.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,...” Matthew 4:43,44.
Love must be the key motivator for a believer in Christ.
We must love God, our neighbour, and even our enemy. This is a command from Jesus himself.
Believers in Christ must ingrain in their hearts and practice unconditional love towards all people. Unconditional love defined by the apostle Paul when he said,
The Apostle John writes,
“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness.
Whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble.
But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.” 1 John 2:9-11.
Throughout John’s writings we see this recurrent theme of Love. Indeed it is not just a recurrent theme with John. It is the main theme of the whole New Testament.
John quotes Jesus speaking of himself as saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16.
Jesus emphasised the importance of love when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’
All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Prior to that Matthew records.
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,...” Matthew 4:43,44.
Love must be the key motivator for a believer in Christ.
We must love God, our neighbour, and even our enemy. This is a command from Jesus himself.
Believers in Christ must ingrain in their hearts and practice unconditional love towards all people. Unconditional love defined by the apostle Paul when he said,
“Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast,
it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,
it is not easily angered,
it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil
but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects,
always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails....
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love.
But the greatest of these is love.”
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.
We must remember the words of the apostle John who tells us,
“Anyone who claims to be in the light
but hates his brother is still in the darkness.
Whoever loves his brother lives in the light,
and there is nothing in him to make him stumble
1 John 2:9,10
Please think about it.