1 John 2:7-11
Today’s Passage: 1 John 2:7-11
Our relationship with people affects our relationship with God. And our relationship with God affects our relationship with people. Our vertical relationship is connected to our horizontal relationships... not in the salvific sense but in relating to intimacy.
God makes it clear all throughout Scripture that one of the most defining characteristics of God is love. God perfectly displays love.
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. // John 3:16
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. // Romans 5:8
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. // 1 John 4:7-8
We are commanded to let God’s love mark our relationship with others. This as John points out is not a new command but in one sense it is because now - post cross - there is a new meaning to love displayed for us in Jesus Christ.
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. // John 13:34
In fact, Jesus said this is how they will know who you are and that you are my disciples...
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” // John 13:35
There are a few places in Scripture where God defines love for us...
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. // John 15:12-13
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends. // 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Here is what we know about love from Scripture:
Take a step back today... does love, as God has defined it, truly define your life with family, friends, co-workers, and church. We are called to exemplify love differently. We are called to love supernaturally - with God’s love. We live in a world that truly promotes the opposite of God’s love.
1) Where have you compromised?
2) How do you need to repent and exemplify God’s love?
Written By: Nick Parsons
Our relationship with people affects our relationship with God. And our relationship with God affects our relationship with people. Our vertical relationship is connected to our horizontal relationships... not in the salvific sense but in relating to intimacy.
God makes it clear all throughout Scripture that one of the most defining characteristics of God is love. God perfectly displays love.
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. // John 3:16
8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. // Romans 5:8
7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. // 1 John 4:7-8
We are commanded to let God’s love mark our relationship with others. This as John points out is not a new command but in one sense it is because now - post cross - there is a new meaning to love displayed for us in Jesus Christ.
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. // John 13:34
In fact, Jesus said this is how they will know who you are and that you are my disciples...
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” // John 13:35
There are a few places in Scripture where God defines love for us...
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. // John 15:12-13
4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. 7 Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends. // 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Here is what we know about love from Scripture:
● Love is sacrificial.
● Love is truthful.
● Love does not compromise on God’s Truth.
● Love is kind.
● Love is patient.
● Love does not envy.
● Love does not boast.
● Love is humble.
● Love puts others first.
● Love perseveres.
1) Where have you compromised?
2) How do you need to repent and exemplify God’s love?
Written By: Nick Parsons
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