Young People's Group

LOVING ONE ANOTHER

by Pastor Mitch
June 17, 2007

Dealing With The Problem Of Hate

In our lifetime, we are bound to struggle with feelings of hate. When someone does something wrong or speak spitefully against us, we tend to harbour feelings of hate. We must understand that hate is sinful. John wrote of how a person who continues to hate a brother is in spiritual darkness.

“But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.” 
1 John 2:11

Such a person walks in spiritual ignorance and does not know where he is going or what he is doing. It is vital that we deal with this problem of hate.

The Stress To Keep The Commandment To Love

“Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you”
1 John 2:7-8

Instead of harbouring hate, our challenge is to obey the commandment to love. The word “commandment” is repeated four times in these two verses. John was stressing the importance of keeping the commandment that the Lord Jesus had given His disciples. The Lord had commanded them to love one another as He had loved them. John was adding new nuances to what the Lord Jesus had taught. Loving one another was meant to be a practical contrast to false opinions. If we really are walking in the light, then we should keep the commandment to love. Our lives would show for it.

Love As A Distinct Way Of Abiding In The Light

“He who loves his brother abides in the light and there is no cause for stumbling in him.” 
1 John 2:10

If we have been given spiritual enlightenment by God’s truth, then we should live differently and distinctly. Instead of living in hate, we should demonstrate sincere love for the brethren. We will not cause anyone to stumble through our deeds. We will display actions of love and concern for people. The idea of “love” is in the present tense. It means that our lives will continually show love to our brethren. If we are abiding in the light of the Lord and no longer dwelling in darkness, then we will obey the command to love one another always. Next week, there will be about 80 young people serving at the Junior camp. Let’s learn to love each other and the children as we serve at this camp. Let’s be challenged to make loving each other a distinct way of dwelling in the light. Let’s show forth the Lord’s love through all that we do.

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