When we were reading through the epistles of Paul, I pictured the author as a forceful, self-assured confrontationalist. (Made up word, but me thinks it fits.) However, as I read 1 John this morning, I received a sense of peace and calm. I pictured John as a grey-bearded, soft-spoken, wise grandfather figure. It is easy for me to see why he is referred to as the Beloved Apostle. But don't let John's gentle delivery fool you. He addresses some very weighty issues. I wish that there were more days devoted to John's first epistle.
As a Christian it is tempting to judge or be judged by others based on what we do or don't do. That person is on the praise team. He must be spiritual person. That person has a bad temper on the tennis court. He must not be a very good Christian. She gossips at work. Bet she is not saved. On and on. However, John points out a sobering truth in chapter 2:9-11. 9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 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.
It doesn't matter how many church committees I am on or how often I attend church. Even the amount of tithe I give is immaterial if I don't have love for others. As John writes I am in the darkness if I hate my brother and sister. No love, no light. Period. End of discussion.
Not sure I like that. It is easier to write a check or attend a meeting than to love. Love requires forgiveness, patience, prayers for and time spent. Love disrupts my quiet, well-manicured little life.
Heavenly Father, please give me the strength to joyfully love those in my life, both the easy to love and the not-quite-so-easy to love. I will also need your strength to love others when showing that love causes inconvenience to me. I can only do this through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Also, please help me remember that I can be one of those not-quite-so-easy-to-love people myself.)
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