The Pilgrim Path---First John 2: 7 – 11

Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. But whoever 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.

“…BECAUSE THE DARKNESS HAS BLINDED HIS EYES”

Had you noticed that hatred is a spiritually blinding disorder? That’s a revealing message in this passage. Just think a few moments: Cain took Abel’s life; Pharoah “went after” the Jews as they left Egypt; Haman couldn’t wait to see all the Jews executed; the Pharisee’s rallied Rome to crucify Jesus of Nazareth---and the religious elite condemned the Apostle Paul in every judgment hall near Jerusalem. The common thread was hatred (the object must deserve my /our-- animosity—spite—loathing). Now, it’s possible each soul might have explained themselves “away” with some plausible excuse---But in the end--- there is no pulling the wool over God’s eyes. God is never fooled by the malice of men (no matter how spruced up---or dressed up).

The astounding reminder in John’s Letter--- is that a Christian may not have a murderous heart toward any---especially another Christian. The Beloved Apostle John’s Spirit-inspired sermon is, “You don’t know where you are going---IF you live with hatred toward saints. You dwell in the dark. Get out of the darkness as quickly as you can!”

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” First John 4: 7 – 11

From Jerry Bridges: We cannot truly love God without loving one another.

From Theophilus Gale: The world commands you not to worry about small sins, but to take your liberty, but Christ Commands you to dread the least sin more than the greatest suffering. How contrary are these masters! When the heart is full of the world, how soon is all sense of love to God choked!

From Dietrich Bonhoeffer: He who is bearing others knows that he himself is being borne, and only in this strength can he go on bearing.

From Jonathan Edwards: When it is said that love suffers long, we cannot infer from this, that we are to bear injuries meekly for a season, and after that season we may cease thus to bear them.

Grace and Peace in Jesus, the Only Redeemer of broken and wretched souls, Pastor Jason