Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

Today's sermon was from 1 John 2:7-11.

"He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 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" (v 9-11).

John is continuing his argument, laying proofs for knowing whether or not you are truly a Christian.

Here it's pretty clear: If you say you're a Christian, but hate your brother, you're a liar.

One of the cross-references that Pastor used was Leviticus 19:17-18.

"You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself."

He brought this up to support 1 Jn 2:7-8 - this is not a new commandment. It's as old as Moses!

It also gives us some practical insight into what it means to love your neighbor.

Don't hate him in your heart, but reason frankly with him, lest you incur sin because of him. That parallels Ephesians 4: Don't let the sun go down on your wrath. Don't let Satan gain a foothold.

When I love someone, I will have to talk with him.

Rather than become bitter because of something he said or did, I may have to ask for clarification and let him know of his offense against me.

I may have to ask him for forgiveness.

I may have to pull him away from his sin, so that he doesn't pull me in with him.

I may have to ask for help so that I don't go down the path of self-pity and loneliness.

I may have to offer help, rather than ignore his challenges.

"You shall not take vengeance."

If I love someone I won't seek to get even for a wrong they did.

"You shall not bear a grudge."

I will forgive him and not bring it up against him, before God, before myself or before others.

I will be patient.

I will be understanding.

I will be encouraging.

Love is more than Sunday dinner around the table - though food and fellowship are always helpful toward building relationships!

It's an attitude that permeates our interactions with others.

Hate! Hate! Hate!

Parents usually teach their young children to not use the word "hate," but we seem to throw it around pretty lightly.

"I hate broccoli!"

"I hate going to work!"

"I hate you!"

If we take it seriously, it is a word that we should use sparingly. But there are some times when we should use the word, or practice hatred.

"Through your precepts I get understanding,
Therefore I hate every false way" (Psalm 119:109).

Hate every false way?

Now there's a hatred that most of us don't have enough of!

We tolerate sin in our lives and in the lives of others.

We ignore false teaching.

But this verse teaches hatred of every false way as a result of studying God's Word.

As I gain understanding through the Word of God, I will hate everything contrary to God.

We understand God's Word. We understand who God is.

We begin to comprehend His holiness. And we want to be more like Him.

We begin to understand His hatred for sin. And we want to be more like Him.

As we study God's Word, we will gain a clearer understanding of God's character, His holiness and His desire for our personal holiness.

Hate sin. Love God.