By Pastor Dr. Aggrey Soyekwo
1 John 2:9-11 “Those who say that they are in the light, yet hate their brothers and sisters, are in the darkness to this very hour. Those who love their brothers and sisters live in the light, and so there is nothing in them that will cause someone else to sin. But those who hate their brothers and sisters are in the darkness; they walk in it and do not know where they are going, because the darkness has made them blind.” – GNB
John continues to compare light and darkness. He now gives a clear sign to show what what walking in love or darkness is: love and hatred. Those in Christ should be characterized by love in all they do, think or say. Because Jesus is the light of the world, those in Him and submitted to His Lordship, must be characterized by love. To whom is this love directed? To their brothers and sisters, to people.
Some say they love God but hate their brothers and sisters. To them, John says they are still in darkness upto now. If Satan is behind the darkness, and is the source of hatred, those who hate others are still in the grip of Satan even if they claim to be in Christ. Those who hate are still blind and walk about in darkness, not knowing where they are going. As love is the true mark of light, hate is the true mark of darkness.
John adds that those who love and are walking in the light have nothing in them that stumbles others to sin. Their lives are a source of inspiration and a blessing, not a stumbling block hindering the growth of others. They do good wherever they are as Jesus went everywhere blessing those He came by and who encountered Him (Acts 10:38). What signs do you manifest; of light or darkness? Everyone in Christ is (expected to be) the light of the world just as Christ is the light of the world. Avoid the deception of thinking you are in the light and yet living in darkness through hatred. Let love prevail.
1 John 4:11-12 “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
Shalom children of God.