My friend Jim had these good words yesterday, light and love always travel together. I had a great meeting about translating rooted into Ethiopia languages Afaan Oromo, Amharic, and Somali for Bet’el Afaan Oromo Evangelical Church. With all this I had the realization that
Today’s verse: 1 John 2:9-11 (NLT)
“If anyone claims, ‘I am living in the light,’ but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.”
The big idea: You can’t have one without the other. Where God’s light shines, love grows. Where love is missing, the light is missing too.
John gives us a simple test of real faith. He doesn’t ask what we know or what we say. He asks how we treat people.
Saying we follow Jesus is easy. Loving people every day is harder, especially when they disagree with us, hurt us, or let us down.
1. Love shows we are in the light
Words are not enough. Verse 9 warns that a person can claim to be in the light and still be in the dark. Church attendance and Bible knowledge don’t prove we walk with God. Love does.
Jesus said it plainly:
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” (John 13:35)
John says it again later in his letter:
“If someone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?” (1 John 4:20)
Love is the evidence. It shows that God’s light is really at work in us.
2. Love keeps others from stumbling
Our love makes the path safer for others. Verse 10 says the one who loves “does not cause others to stumble.”
Paul gives the same charge:
“Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.” (Romans 14:13)
When we love well:
- We build unity instead of division.
- We encourage instead of tear down.
- We make faith stronger instead of weaker.
At work, people are watching. The way we act can draw people toward Jesus or push them away. Your kindness in a tense meeting may say more than any sermon.
In my own life, I've tried to make amends with a life long friend who won't speak to me. I remember saying some awful things to her. I need to pray about this and send her an apology with no strings attached. My hope is that we have peace that endures.
- Romans 12:18: Pursue peace within the limits of your responsibility. The verse acknowledges that peace also involves another person.
- 2 Corinthians 5:18–20: The ministry of reconciliation primarily concerns God reconciling people to Himself through Christ. It gives you a posture of grace, but it does not obligate your sister to resume contact.
- James 1:19: If she responds, make understanding her experience your first task.
- Romans 2:4: God’s kindness leads toward repentance. Kindness can shape your approach even when you believe another person has made harmful choices.
An apology can be an act of obedience even when it produces no immediate response. Creating a different kind of invitation
The first goal can be modest: help her experience you as someone who can acknowledge hurt and listen.
3. Hate blinds us
Hate hurts the one who holds it. Verse 11 is a hard warning. People who hate walk in the dark. They can’t see where they are going.
Proverbs paints the same picture:
“The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. But the way of the wicked is like total darkness. They have no idea what they are stumbling over.” (Proverbs 4:18-19)
Bitterness is like a weed. It starts small and spreads. Hebrews warns us:
“Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.” (Hebrews 12:15)
Left alone, bitterness will:
- Twist how we see people.
- Break our relationships.
- Steal our joy and peace.
- Stop our growth with God.
The good news: God gives a way out of the dark.
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander... Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)
The bottom line
Jesus is the source of the light.
“I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” (John 8:12)
When we walk close to Him, His love flows through us. We don’t have to force it. Light and love travel together.
And now we carry that light. Jesus said, “You are the light of the world... let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” (Matthew 5:14, 16)
Think about it
Who is God calling me to love more on purpose this week? What is one thing I can do to show that love?
Pray
Father, thank You for bringing us into Your light through Jesus Christ. Help us look honestly at our hearts. Remove any bitterness, resentment, or hate that may be hiding there. Fill us with Your love so we can point others to You and help them stand strong. May our lives show the light of Christ at home, at work, and in every relationship. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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