The lure of the trail led him on. There was always another bend, always another projecting rock around which he wished to see.”
–Louis L’Amour (Fallon)
“Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.”
–Titus 3:3 (NLT)
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How to Live in a Pagan, Apostate, and Foolish World
Key Verse: “We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” –1 John 5:19 (NASB)
I am going to dwell just a bit on loving the brethren, meaning all that are in the Church. First of all John says that he gives no new commandment and then some added guidelines. See, we need each other in this evil world. There are times to pick up a weaker Christian, there might be times when you need guidance along the way and comfort. Yes, for sure, there may be a time to walk alone, and true, we each have to walk our own road with the Holy Spirit only as our guide, but still we are to love our brothers and sisters in Christ.
First a little side thought. For some reason the more enlightened church has dropped those respectful titles. I believe we have lost something by doing it. We are of the family of God, and therefore we are “brothers and sisters” to each other. Too formal, I don’t think so. It is showing relationship. If we fail to love them, we interrupt or fellowship with God.
“Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. 8 On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining. 9 The one who says that he is in the Light and yet hates his brother or sister is in the darkness until now. 10 The one who loves his brother and sister remains in the Light, and there is nothing in him to cause stumbling. 11 But the one who hates his brother or sister is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes.”
–1 John 2:7-11 (NASB)
The words of Leviticus 19:18 and John 13:34 were never truly possible until Christ. Only through Christ are we able to really love our neighbor and forgive others. Darkness has passed and we are living in the Light. Unbelievers dwell in the realm of darkness; unbelievers eyes have been darkened, they are used to darkness. However, the Christian is not the person they used to be. The test of Light is in response to this commandment. There must be love to be in the realm of light. Despite defects in others we press on in loving them.
“Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the Light of the world; the one who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.'”
–John 8:12 (NASB)
Once we were unloving people, once we walked in the darkness, but now we have the Light. The world controls those who are in darkness. Unless drawn by the Light those in the world hide from it. “The world hides itself; there is a superficial charm and manner, there is a superficial culture and chivalry that would hide this.” (Lloyd-Jones) They claim to be “woke” more enlightened that those in the Church. Their culture is better and not bigoted or racist. They are controlled by this outlook. Lloyd-Jones refers to this as a tragedy, “The tragedy of the nonChristian is that he is not master of himself or in control of himself; he is governed by his surroundings and circumstances.” He is a victim of the darkness, and is under the control of the “evil one.” (1 John 5:19)
Those in the darkness are blind; they do not understand the gospel. They are blind to their eternal destiny for they are not looking for the heavenly city. Many will mock that they prefer hell, for all their friends will be there. The devil covers their eyes. Therefore, we as Christians have an obligation to love those of the family of God so that our light might shine to those in darkness.
As we love others, especially those of the faith, we find real purpose governing our lives. Our eyes are open making it harder to stumble. Oh, stumble we might; falter is possible, but we have the promise of 1 John 1:9 and can go to our heavenly Father. Our journey is not one of continual falling, stumbling, and tripping for we are now walking in the Light. Because of that we have a duty to not cause others to trip or stumble, but to draw out the best in them.