WALKING IN THE LIGHT

SESSION 2 – KELLY MINTER // WHAT LOVE IS

IN THIS EPISODE

  • Scripture reading of 1 John 2:1-17 | 0:51
  • Day 1 discussion on 1 John 1:1-2 | 3:19
  • Day 2 discussion on 1 John 2:3-6 | 16:42
  • Day 3 discussion 1 John 2:7-11 | 24:24
  • Day 4 discussion on 1 John 2:12-14 | 37:16
  • Day 5 discussion on 1 John 2:15-17 | 49:18

INSTANT TAKEAWAYS

1 | Christ as our Advocate

My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. | 1 John 2:1-2

We talk through what it means for Christ to be our advocate & our substitution before the Father for salvation, but also for the daily sin that we all struggle through. Not only does he forgive, but he comes alongside us to help us and counsel us through our humanity and show us the way forward to freedom from sin.

2 | Love & Obedience

We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God[a] is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. | 1 John 2:3-6

The Apostle John shows us that obedience is not a formula to follow just for the rule’s sake. We obey because we love God & the things that he cares about. God cares about the heart attitude. Our obedience will naturally flow out of our relationship with God. When our hearts are aligned with God’s then our values and our actions are going to be as well.

3 | Old Command becoming New through Christ

Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining. Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister[a] is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister[b] lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.| 1 John 2:7-11

John shows us that the Old Command from the Old Testament of ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul & strength & love your neighbor as yourself” has a new call to action for believers because of what Christ did for us on the cross. Now, instead of loving our neighbors as ourselves, we are to love our neighbors sacrificially as Christ did for us with purpose & intention through the strength he provides.

4 | Assurance of faith in all stages of faith

I am writing to you, dear children,
because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
I am writing to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
because you have overcome the evil one.

I write to you, dear children,
because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men
because you are strong,
and the word of God lives in you,
and you have overcome the evil one. | 1 John 2:12-14

John takes a moment to assure believers in various stages of faith that their faith is valid and relevant to their lives and something to be confident in. We can all get lost in the trap of comparison, even in regards to our faith, so he affirms each stage of believer that where they are with Jesus is something to stand on and to remain in.

5 | Temporal versus Eternal

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father[a] is not in them. For everything in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. | 1 John 2:15-17

John reminds us not to love things of the world i.e. “lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes or pride of life” because they are not eternal. As new creations in Christ, the world is no longer our ultimate home, eternity in heaven is, so therefore we should focus on eternal things like God’s word & loving people as He does. The fleeting, shiny things of the world that promise instant happiness are mission busters to becoming like Christ & joining him on mission.

SHOW NOTES

Here it is! In our 2nd study session of Kelly Minter’s book “What Love Is: The Letters of 1,2,3 John” we cover 1 John 2:1-17. Some themes we see in week’s study include the advocate we have in Christ, the closeness of light and love, and living as overcomers. Grab a cup of coffee and join us for this discussion!

Below are some links we mentioned in the episode in case you want to take a closer look:

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