John is focused on relationships, particularly our relationship with God. When he says “know” he is focusing on more than just our “head knowledge.” He wants us to dig deeper. What do we “know” of God through listening for his voice, reading his word and letting it permeate our being, watching his creation unfold before our eyes? How has the life of Jesus and how he lived impacted us and how we want to live?
John reminds us here of an old commandment, but he’s bringing a fresh, new twist to it. We are to love one another. That’s the old law, and you will recall Jesus also spoke of it (John 13:34) as a new commandment. Loving God is of course always #1, but how we treat each other is of utmost importance, too. What’s John’s twist?
John warns us that if we claim to be living in the light and striving to be more like Jesus, then we must love. We can not be in the light and hate our fellow believer or brother. Interesting that it doesn’t say our enemy? There are plenty of people who are hard to love. For them, we know God loves them, so our prayer should be, “God, help me love them by loving them through me.”
John doesn’t mean for this to burden us with more rules. He is simply trying to clarify and encourage us. We are to love one another. Jesus came into the world and set the light in place. Now it is up to each of us to keep the light burning. John is simply reminding us of our responsibility. To “hate” our fellow believers puts us in darkness and dims the light of Christ. If we are claiming to be Christ followers, we should look more like him and less like the darkness of the world.
Think about it. You may have even experienced this. Picture an event at church with other believers. When everyone is in harmony, loving on each other, working together for the common goal of spreading the Gospel, the light is shining bright. God’s love is flowing freely. But when there is discourse or infighting or some sort of hatred, jealousy, anger in the group, what happens? Darkness is unleashed, evil can permeate the entire group. God’s purposes are then somewhat distorted. Being part of the group is no longer fun, uplifting, or beneficial. The light cannot shine brightly.
We have been saved by grace, not our own works. This loving is not intended for us as a ticket into heaven. John is simply pointing out we can’t say we’re in the light and still have hatred for our brother in our hearts. It just doesn’t compute. What is your response to this grace? Think of these familiar words: “Amazing grace! How sweet the sound! That saved a wretch like me! I once was lost but now am found, was blind but now I see.”
Is it time that you embrace this commandment, whether it’s old or new, and love your brother? Is there someone, also loved by God, that needs to be loved by you? John doesn’t say it will be easy. That’s not the point. But it is necessary.
I love these words of encouragement from John. “I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus. … God’s word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one.” Take some time today to contemplate this statement: Loving one another is an essential mark of a true Christian. Do you agree?
Let’s pray. Lord, I do wish to be in the light. Help me to not be a stumbling block to other believers but instead build them up. Fill me with your love so that it is overflowing. Forgive me when I don’t love perfectly. Thank you for you grace and mercy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
