This post is Day 7 in a series of studies about “1 John”. I strongly suggest you begin with the introduction to this study, please click here to read it.

Feel free to comment below with your own thoughts about each verse and how you will be acting on each thought. Also, if you haven’t yet signed up to receive the notifications of new studies, you can do that today (the form is at the bottom of the page).

1 John – Day 7

So much of the Bible talks about LOVE. We are called to love our enemies. That is hard when your enemy is killing your loved ones, or stealing your livelihood. But Jesus makes it clear. We should be walking in the light and not darkness, loving our brothers and sisters.

1 John 2:10-11

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

The Thought

So much of the Bible talks about LOVE. We are called to love our enemies. That is hard when your enemy is killing your loved ones, or stealing your livelihood. But Jesus makes it clear (Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27 & 35).

In the verses for today John is emphasising the importance of real love for others. I think that “brother and sister” in these verses means your own family, but also your fellow believers, all those who are a part of the family of God. Much damage has been done throughout the centuries because of Christian groups thinking theirs is the only way to God. Religious wars in Europe caused much bloodshed, and even today there are christians who will not have anything to do with another strain of Christianity.

There might be a few surprises when we get to Heaven.

Light and dark are one of John’s favourite themes, we already read on Day 2 that we should be walking in the light and not darkness, and none of us is immune to being blinded by the darkness as this verse suggests.

Action

Pray today for those you love who are “on the dark side of the road”. It is our job to help them see the truth of their situation and lead them to the Light – Jesus. Not by criticism, and separation, but through patience and love.

Pray for the Lord’s protection for yourself and those in your fellowship, that you will never be found walking in darkness.