Lesson 3 · April 21, 1906

True Love. 1 John 2:9-17

Questions.

I. Love of the Brethren. .

1.What is said of him who claims to be in the light, but hates his brother?
2.What is the condition of him who loves his brother?
3.What, then, is sufficient proof that a man is in darkness?
4.In what does such an one walk?
5.What does he not know?
6.Why can he not see the way?

Notes

II. Threefold Statement of Reasons for Writing. .

7.Why does John write to children?
8.Why to fathers?
9.Why to young men?
10.What second reason is given for writing to children?
11.What reason is repeated?
12.What second reason is given for writing to young men?
13.What is the effect of the Word abiding in the heart?

Notes

III. A Solemn Warning. .

14.What are Christians not to love?
15.What is said of one who loves the world?
16.What are the characteristics of the things that are in the world?
17.From what source do these come?
18.What is said of the world?
19.Who will abide forever?

Notes

1. ⟦.?⟧—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 if 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 can not 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. ⟦.?⟧—Our thoughts are to be above () where our citizenship is (, R. V.), and our love can not 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 friend of the world; but we can not 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 2:9-11 · 1 John 2:12-14 · 1 John 2:15-17 · 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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