LOVE YOUR FAMILY IN CHRIST 

1 John 2:1-17 / Keywords 2:10

Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble.

 

2:1 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. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

Love and Hatred for Fellow Believers

3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God[a] is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

7 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. 8 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.

9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister[b] is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister[c] lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 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.

Reasons for Writing

12 I am writing to you, dear children,

    because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.

13 I am writing to you, fathers,

    because you know him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young men,

    because you have overcome the evil one.

14 I write to you, dear children,

    because you know the Father.

I write to you, fathers,

    because you know him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men,

    because you are strong,

    and the word of God lives in you,

    and you have overcome the evil one.

On Not Loving the World

15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[d] is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

 

Footnotes

a. 1 John 2:5 Or word, God’s love

b. 1 John 2:9 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family; also in verse 11; and in 3:15, 17; 4:20; 5:16.

c. 1 John 2:10 The Greek word for brother and sister (adelphos) refers here to a believer, whether man or woman, as part of God’s family; also in 3:10; 4:20, 21.

d. 1 John 2:15 Or world, the Father’s love

1. When we sin, Jesus the Righteous One atones for our sins through his blood sacrificed on the cross and advocates for us with the Father. We are great debtors of Christ’s love, forgiveness, and advocacy.

 

2. Thus, as his followers, we must practice his grace and love and forgive other believers as Jesus did. Love relationships in the church testify that Christ’s light is shining in us. But if we don’t forgive our brothers and sisters in Christ, we are in the darkness and are blind. Thus, we must love and forgive our Christian family as Jesus commands. Then, we can see each other poetically as John wrote, describing the church with great affection as children who have been forgiven, as fathers who are mature in faith, and as young men who overcome the evil one. John wrote it twice to emphasize his love. It’s his advocacy for them.

 

3. On the other hand, we must not love the world or anything in the world. Otherwise, our love for Jesus and other believers will grow cold. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does Christ’s will (love God and others) lives forever!

 

Prayer Father, thank you for Jesus who advocates for me. Help me to love others and live in his light.

One Word Love others and walk in Jesus’ light