Lesson 3 · October 21, 1893
True Love.—1 John 2:9-17
- 1.Can one be in the light and hate his brother?
- 2.What is the condition of him who loves his brother?
- 3.What is sufficient proof that a man is in darkness?
- 4.In what does such an one walk?
- 5.Does he know whither he goes?
- 6.Why not?
- 7.Why does John write to children?
- 8.Why to fathers?
- 9.Why to young men?
- 10.What is the second reason given for writing to children?
- 11.Why to young men?
- 12.Upon what are Christians exhorted not to bestow their affection?
- 13.Can love of the world and love of God dwell in the same heart?
- 14.What are the characteristics of the world?
- 15.From what source do these come?
- 16.What will happen to the world?
- 17.Who will abide forever?
Notes
1. Verses 9-11.—Love for the brethren is an evidence of conversion (), and no one can be in the light () and not have this love. Christ identifies himself with his followers, and counts every service rendered to them as though done to him. . There are only two classes. All are either "in the light" or "in darkness." Love is the fruit of the Spirit (), by which it is shed abroad in the heart (). When man sinned, "selfishness took the place of love," but "in the heart renewed by divine grace, love is the principle of action." God loved us when we were sinners (), and Christians must not limit this love to their brethren (). "The Spirit of Christ's self-sacrificing love is the spirit that pervades heaven, and is the very essence of its bliss. This is the spirit that Christ's followers will possess, the work that they will do."
Christians are to love one another (), which is the fulfilling of the law (). "We should love and respect one another, notwithstanding the faults and imperfections that we cannot help seeing." "We are to stand under the shadow of the cross of Calvary, humbling our hearts, confessing our sins, and entreating the Lord to pardon our defects of character, and strengthen our love for the brethren."
It is dangerous to trifle with light, for light rejected will bring darkness (), and this is the greatest darkness of all (). When minds are blinded by Satan (), the people are in the deepest darkness (), and do not perceive the snares of the devil.
2. Verses 15-17.—Our thoughts are to be above (), where our citizenship is (, R. V.), and our love cannot be divided (). Enmity between Christians and the world is of long standing (), and is really the hope of the race. "It is the grace that Christ implants in the soul which creates in man enmity against Satan." We may be friends of God (), as Abraham was (), or friends of the world; but we cannot be both at the same time (). "Conformity to the world will never be the means of converting the world to Christ." The world passes away, but character endures. The will of God is his law (), which is everlasting righteousness (; ).
Bible texts in this lesson
1 John 3:14 · John 8:12 · Matthew 25:40 · Galatians 5:22 · Romans 5:5 · Romans 5:8 · Matthew 5:44-46 · John 15:12 · John 15:17 · Romans 13:10 · John 12:35 · Matthew 6:23 · 2 Corinthians 4:4 · Isaiah 60:2 · Colossians 3:2 · Philippians 3:20 · Matthew 6:24 · Genesis 3:15 · John 15:15 · Isaiah 41:8 · James 4:4 · Romans 2:18 · Psalms 119:172 · Psalms 119:144 · Isaiah 51:6-8
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