5 Understandable Words for Today
/"...the darkness has blinded him." John 2:11b
As John continues to write, he transitions from 1st person plural to 1st person singular at Chapter 2, verse 1. He presses the sin issue further by stating his singular motivation for writing: "I write this to you so that you will not sin." He then restates the semantic of 1:9, stating we have a mediator Who speaks to the Father in our defense - Jesus Christ. (v.1b,c) He describes Jesus as, The Righteous One; the atoning sacrifice for our sins and the sins of the world. (v.2) John was convinced in Jesus' identity; there was no question marks in his faith paradigm. He had lived with Jesus three years, had seen the miracles and heard His teaching. In fact, John promises the reader that the Believer can know Jesus as intimately as he did, when we follow His commands.
There are two main commands given by Jesus in the accounts of His earthly ministry and life:
- Love one another, as I have loved you. (Jn. 13:34-35)
- Make disciples of in all nations by teaching them all the things He taught. (Mt. 28:18-20)
John presents his argument for knowing Jesus: anyone claiming to know Jesus must walk as Jesus walked - proclaiming God's Kingdom had come, healing the sick, teaching the Word, and promoting peace between people. John's argument for such is in simple black and white, good and bad ideology. If someone claims to know Jesus, but does not follow His commands, he is a liar, and the truth is not in him. On the other hand, if one obeys Jesus' teachings, God's love is made complete in and through him/her... and it's obvious. (v.'s 3-6)
John presses his point stating the truth will be seen in the person, the darkness will pass as the true light is shining in one's life, exposing sin and its practices. (v.8) John's elementary approach is reflected in the actual writing style of the Greek language. He uses the most basic language to communicate eternal truth.... for all (v.'s 12-14):
- Children, who have called upon Jesus' name for the forgiveness of sin;
- Fathers, who have known Jesus from the beginning of His ministry and could not refute John's message on authentic "followship";
- Young men, who have overcome the enticements of the liberal Roman world.
- Of course, wives would receive the message through their husbands and daughters would receive the message through their fathers or elders.
Yes, John's clear message on following Christ is definitively stated in verses 9-11:
"Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. Whoever loves his brother lives int he light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him."
These words are very timely for our day. You see, when John is describing one hating a brother, he is not speaking in familial terms - he is speaking about another family... the family of man. We are to demonstrate God's love to all, no matter one's race, creed, calling, or even how one is treated by others. Love is to be our theme, our credence, our calling care, our signature in all relationships. We are to love supremely, redemptively, and purely - just as Christ loved us, and gave Himself up for us.
I guess the coloquiolism popular in the late '60's and early '70's is appropriate to conclude these remarks...
Peace and love,
steve