Thursday 29 December 2011

Background

St Jerome, living three hundred years after the death of John(the author traditionally associated with this letter) relates astory of John in his old age. Too old and feeble to preach he wouldhave himself carried down to the assembled people and say, "Loveone another. That is the Lord's command: and if you keep it, thatitself is enough."

It is the simplest and yet most difficult of messages. What does itmean to love one another and how do we find the resources to do it?In today's passage John offers some guidance. There must be aconsistency between word and deed. If we say we have come to knowGod then this must be supported by our actions; we must be seen tobe living in accordance with God's word and following in thefootsteps of Jesus.

If we say we are "in the light" whilst still "hating" or failing tolove our brothers and sisters then actually we are still in thedarkness (verse 9) - and often, too, we are blinded to ourhypocrisy. The person who loves their brothers and sisters is theperson who is living in the light.

So, although we enter the light by confessing our sins andaccepting the gracious gift of God's forgiveness, evidence of ourliving in the light is to be found in the degree to which we areseen to be walking as Jesus walked. It is to be found in the waysin which we allow the love of God to shape and influence ourbehaviour towards others.

To Ponder

'Love God and do as you please' and 'Do the mostloving thing' have been two soundbites attempting to sum upChristian living. What is helpful about these soundbites and whatare their limitations? How would you sum it up?

In what ways do we sometimes try to justifytreating others with a lack of love?

Is there someone you find difficult to love orforgive? Might you bring that person to God in prayer?