Welcome to the Hope Bible School verse-by-verse Bible study of 1 John. This is Jeff M Newman. Get a new lesson every other week on Mondays at 12:00 PM Eastern.
In Lesson 33, we are going to study 1 John 2:10.
Let’s read our verse.
1 John 2:10 Anyone who loves a fellow believer lives in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in them.
Let’s start by focusing on the first part of the verse: Anyone who loves a fellow believer lives in the light…
Loves (25. agapaó) means to actively take pleasure in, long for, or esteem. It means to actively do what the Lord prefers.
A fellow believer (80. adelphos) means a fellow Christian or follower of Jesus.
Lives (3306. menó) means to remain in, to abide in, or to stay in.
The light (5457. phós) means radiance, the manifestation of God’s self-existent life, or divine illumination to reveal and impart life, through Christ. (HELPS Word-studies)
When you love your brothers and sisters in Christ, in the way that Jesus calls you to love them, which is in the same way He loves you, you will remain in, abide in, or stay in God’s divine radiance, illumination, or light.
There is a direct connection between loving fellow believers and remaining in God’s light.
The love of Jesus is characterized by selflessness, compassion, and sacrifice.
We are called to love fellow believers in the same way.
In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, we can get some insights into how to love fellow believers.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. 6 Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
In 1 Peter 4:8, we read that we are called to love one another deeply.
1 Peter 4:8 Above all, love one another deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Sometimes, it can be hard to love fellow believers because they may rub you the wrong way or they may do things that you don’t agree with.
In order to love these hard to love believers, you will need God’s help.
In Ephesians 6:10, we read that we are called to be strong in God’s mighty power.
Remember God has unlimited power. He can use this power to help you love others.
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
In order to love fellow believers, you will need the Spirit of God.
In Galatians 5:22-23, we read that part of the fruit of the Spirit is love. When you have the Spirit in you, you will be empowered to love others.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
If you are struggling to love a fellow believer, confess your sins to God, ask Him to cleanse you, strengthen you, and fill you with His Spirit.
In John 8:12, we read that when you follow Jesus, you will never walk in the darkness. When you follow Jesus, by loving others in the same way He loves, you will be abiding in or remaining in God’s light.
You will have the light of life, because Jesus is the light of the world.
John 8:12 Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Now let’s focus on the final part of the verse: and there is no cause of stumbling in them.
No (3756. ou, ouk, ouch) means absolutely no. It is the strongest negation possible.
Cause of stumbling (4625. skandalon) means a snare, an offense, or the mechanism for closing a trap down on an unsuspecting victim. (HELPS Word-studies)
Loving fellow believers plays a critical role in helping you stay on the right path and avoid stumbling, falling into sinful behavior, or falling into a trap.
Loving fellow believers will prevent you from engaging in actions that would harm yourself or others.
Loving fellow believers will remove obstacles from your path and help others live in the light.
In contrast to this, when you are walking in the darkness, it is easy to fall into a cycle of sinful behavior. Your choices will influence those around you to do the same and cause them to stumble.
Before you do anything, ask yourself if what you are going to do will be loving towards others or not. Only do things that are loving towards others.
In Matthew 18:6, we read that there are serious consequences for causing little ones or young believers to stumble.
Remember, your actions have an impact on others. Your actions can lead people to seek God or stumble in their sins and turn from God.
Matthew 18:6 But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.
In John 11:9-10, we read that when you walk in the light, you will not stumble. Jesus will provide you with spiritual illumination and direction for your life.
John 11:9-10 Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? If anyone walks in the daytime, they will not stumble, because they see by the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks at night, they will stumble, because they have no light.”
In Romans 14:13, we read that we are to consider the impact of our actions on others. If you focus on criticizing and condemning others, rather than loving others, you will put a stumbling block in the way of other believers.
Romans 14:13 Therefore let us stop judging one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of another believer.
In conclusion, when you love fellow believers in the same way that Jesus loved you, you will live in the light.
In order to love others like this, you will need to be filled with the Spirit of God, and you will need God's strength to love others. Ask God to help you love others as He loves them.
When you love other believers, you will not stumble or fall into sin. And, you will help prevent other believers from stumbling because of your example and love for them.
Your actions impact those around you. Let your actions be based on loving others as Christ loves you.
Let's read our verse one more time.
1 John 2:10 Anyone who loves a fellow believer lives in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in them.
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Thank you and God bless you,
Jeff M Newman
(Photo by Christian Perner on Unsplash.)
Lesson 33 - 1 John 2:10 Anyone who loves a fellow believer lives in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in them.