1 John 2:7-11
“7 Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. 8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. 9 The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness until now. 10 The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But the one who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.[1]” (1 John 2:7–11, NASB 95)
The Apostle John loves the use of contrasts. As we study his sermon, we will see contrasts throughout. In this passage, we have three of them!
Remember the cyclical nature of John's writing; he consistently revisits these same topics. The first contrast leads us to the second set of contrasts. The second contrast leads us to the third set of contrasts. Hate and darkness go hand-in-hand and disrupt the believer's fellowship with Christ and others. Light, love, and the New Command of Christ are the way to fellowship.
Discussion Questions:
-We are sad and get angry
-Instead of going to the person to handle it in a biblical God-honoring way
-We stew, talk about the person instead of to the person, and we get angry
-Become bitter, jealous, resentful, or even insecure
-We now have a strong aversion for the person who hurts us or even detests
that person.
-We hate.
-Stumbling happens in us; darkness is the direction of our life, and we are blinded.
The Apostle John loves the use of contrasts. As we study his sermon, we will see contrasts throughout. In this passage, we have three of them!
- Old Commandment and New Commandment.
- Light and Darkness
- Love and Hate
Remember the cyclical nature of John's writing; he consistently revisits these same topics. The first contrast leads us to the second set of contrasts. The second contrast leads us to the third set of contrasts. Hate and darkness go hand-in-hand and disrupt the believer's fellowship with Christ and others. Light, love, and the New Command of Christ are the way to fellowship.
Discussion Questions:
- Read Leviticus 19:18 and John 13:34-35. What are the similarities in these commands to love? What are the differences? In what sense is the command in John 13:34-35 new?
- How has your love for others grown since you became a believer in Christ?
- How have you experienced the love of Christ from other believers?
- Is there anyone in the body of Christ that you are struggling to love? How can you show Christ-like love to that person this week?
- Russell compared anger and hate to icebergs where other emotions are hidden under the service. He went through the progression of how anger leads to hate. With each step in the progression, the iceberg gets bigger and bigger, damaging more relationships. The most important relationship that is damaged is our relationship with Christ.
-We are sad and get angry
-Instead of going to the person to handle it in a biblical God-honoring way
-We stew, talk about the person instead of to the person, and we get angry
-Become bitter, jealous, resentful, or even insecure
-We now have a strong aversion for the person who hurts us or even detests
that person.
-We hate.
-Stumbling happens in us; darkness is the direction of our life, and we are blinded.
Have you experienced this progression? Has it sunk relationships? What are your next steps to pursue reconciliation?
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