The title may be only connected to a song by the Black Eyed Peas. Beyond that, take the title to an application of 1 John 2:7-11. Inside the children of the Living God...where is the love? With that simple question, take a few moments and read 1 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." - 1 John 2:7-11, ESV
Last night, I challenged my students to look at LOVE from 1 John in 3 ways. For the sake of this post, we are going to quickly examine those ways.
1. Loving others is Biblical. Looking at verse 7, you can't help but see the beauty of the Old Testament. We love others...because it is commanded in the Word. Love is Biblical. Beyond being an emotional drive that many believers share...it is a command. For example, we see love between brothers in Genesis 45:15 as Joseph showed humble forgiveness to his wicked family. God's love was clearly displayed that day as the second highest in command offered undeserved love. In 1 Samuel 20:17-42, Jonathan loved David. This brotherly love was unique for Jonathan had every reason in the world to remain bitter against the one that would take the throne that all paperwork would claim was his. Finally, in Psalm 133:1-2, we see how beautiful it is when brothers...when the CHURCH shows love to one another. This must come from leadership first. Leaders...where is the love?
2. Loving others reflects Christ. In verse 8, we see that IN HIM, the commandment is new. In Christ, we are radically challenged to love in a way that His grace is offered. John writes, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." (John 13:34). How can we reflect Christ? Beyond just preaching His great Gospel, we must live and love with His great Gospel. Are you reflecting the love of Christ? Are you showing His Gospel? Are you loving others in a way that you are showing them the darkness of their sin? Are you walking in the light in such a way that you daily acknowledge your own sinfulness and grace beyond measure? In reflecting Christ...where is the love?
3. Loving others shows genuine salvation. Finally, in verses 9-11, we see the fat challenge in the text. Hating others negates the love that we claim we have in our souls. How do we hate others? Gossip, slander, neglecting needs, neglecting the Gospel, failing His commands...comes from a lack of love. It's interesting to note that in the Greek, the idea for "stumbling" comes from the word skandalon, which literally translates, "a stick for bait, a snare, an offense." Some of the most common excuses I've heard in students not wanting to be in the church are centered around the treatment received from believers. Friend, we must knock down the walls of religious comforts and open the door for the Gospel. We must display love to the world in order to reflect the validity of the Gospel practically lived out in our lives. May we love with the Gospel. May we live in the Gospel. I like what John Ortberg writes, "Living in grace, remembering grace, keeps love alive. But losing touch with grace, forgetting that I am loved because God is a gracious God, is a love-killer." Where is the love?
I close with a song I played for my students last night.
By Our Love - Christy Nockels
"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." - 1 John 2:7-11, ESV
Last night, I challenged my students to look at LOVE from 1 John in 3 ways. For the sake of this post, we are going to quickly examine those ways.
1. Loving others is Biblical. Looking at verse 7, you can't help but see the beauty of the Old Testament. We love others...because it is commanded in the Word. Love is Biblical. Beyond being an emotional drive that many believers share...it is a command. For example, we see love between brothers in Genesis 45:15 as Joseph showed humble forgiveness to his wicked family. God's love was clearly displayed that day as the second highest in command offered undeserved love. In 1 Samuel 20:17-42, Jonathan loved David. This brotherly love was unique for Jonathan had every reason in the world to remain bitter against the one that would take the throne that all paperwork would claim was his. Finally, in Psalm 133:1-2, we see how beautiful it is when brothers...when the CHURCH shows love to one another. This must come from leadership first. Leaders...where is the love?
2. Loving others reflects Christ. In verse 8, we see that IN HIM, the commandment is new. In Christ, we are radically challenged to love in a way that His grace is offered. John writes, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." (John 13:34). How can we reflect Christ? Beyond just preaching His great Gospel, we must live and love with His great Gospel. Are you reflecting the love of Christ? Are you showing His Gospel? Are you loving others in a way that you are showing them the darkness of their sin? Are you walking in the light in such a way that you daily acknowledge your own sinfulness and grace beyond measure? In reflecting Christ...where is the love?
3. Loving others shows genuine salvation. Finally, in verses 9-11, we see the fat challenge in the text. Hating others negates the love that we claim we have in our souls. How do we hate others? Gossip, slander, neglecting needs, neglecting the Gospel, failing His commands...comes from a lack of love. It's interesting to note that in the Greek, the idea for "stumbling" comes from the word skandalon, which literally translates, "a stick for bait, a snare, an offense." Some of the most common excuses I've heard in students not wanting to be in the church are centered around the treatment received from believers. Friend, we must knock down the walls of religious comforts and open the door for the Gospel. We must display love to the world in order to reflect the validity of the Gospel practically lived out in our lives. May we love with the Gospel. May we live in the Gospel. I like what John Ortberg writes, "Living in grace, remembering grace, keeps love alive. But losing touch with grace, forgetting that I am loved because God is a gracious God, is a love-killer." Where is the love?
I close with a song I played for my students last night.
By Our Love - Christy Nockels
Brothers, let us come together
Walking in the Spirit, there's much to be done...
We will come reaching, out from our comforts
And they will know us by our love...
Sisters, we were made for kindness
We can pierce the darkness as He shines through us...
We will come reaching, with a song of healing...
And they will know us by our love!
The time is now
Come Church arise...
Love with His hands
See with His eyes...
Bind it around you,
Let it never leave you,
And they will know us by our love...
Children, You are hope for justice,
Stand firm in the Truth now, set your hearts above
You will be reaching, long after we’re gone,
And they will know you by your love!
Where is the Love?
Soli Deo Gloria!
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