Read: 1 John 2:3-14
Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. (vv. 9-10)
The history of Christianity tells a strange story of gruesome wrongs and great heroism, often coming out of the same circumstances. The state church of Germany, for example, supported Hitler’s plan to restore the fatherland to its former glory, even though it led to the deaths of millions of innocent people, including six million Jews. The confessing church of Germany, however, opposed Hitler. Many were martyred as a result, including the writer and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who was executed for his part in the resistance movement.
John declares unequivocally that hatred has no place in the Christian community, even when it appears to be justified. The “old commandment” he mentions tells us to love people as we love ourselves. The “new commandment” tells us to love people as Jesus loved us (see John 13:34.) As we all know, Jesus loved sacrificially, even to the point of death.
Sacrificial love cannot remain an abstract idea. It demands concrete action. We obey the “new commandment” by loving a rude neighbor, an irritating church member, a selfish boss, a wayward child, a political opponent. Love like this—Jesus-love—is the job description of the Christian community. It demonstrates that we are walking in the light.
As you pray, ask God to empower you to love people as Jesus did.
Jerry Sittser is a professor emeritus of theology and senior fellow at Whitworth University. He specializes in the history of Christianity, Christian spirituality, and religion in American public life. As an author, he has written nine books.
