Life|Love
1 John 2:7-17
Jesus embodied the perfect interdependent creation. He did not bring anything new, but when his light shines on us, a beauty so fresh and new is revealed: life the way God intended it.
Daily Prayer: Lord God, connect me to your created intent through Jesus. Teach me to love others the way you love me. Amen.
Monday, April 20
Read 1 John 2:7-17. Focus on verse 7. If John is writing an “old commandment” which is “from the beginning,” what is that eternal commandment? How is the message of Jesus an “old commandment?” For more, see 2 John 1:4-11.
Tuesday, April 21
Read 1 John 2:7-17. Focus on verse 8. The commandment is both old and new. How can that be possible? What is new about the same old commandment? For more, see Luke 5:33-39. What does the new commandment have to do with light?
Wednesday, April 22
Read 1 John 2:7-17. Focus on verses 9-11. What is incompatible with being in the light and hating your brother? What does the light reveal that makes these two things incompatible? For more, see Matthew 5:21-26.
Thursday, April 23
Read 1 John 2:7-17. Focus on verses 12-14. There is a debate whether John is writing to actual children, fathers and young men, or if he is addressing the life of maturity in the faith between those who are young in their faith, mature and growing stronger. What do you think? For more, see John 16:25-33.
Friday, April 24
Read 1 John 2:7-17. Focus on verses 15-17. How does John define the “world?” What is wrong with loving the world? If we don’t love the things of this world, what do we love? For more, see John 15:18-25 and Matthew 6:24.
Saturday, April 25
Read 1 John 2:7-17. Write down five things that you love in this world (the way John defines it). Then write next to each one the good thing that doesn’t happen because of your love for these worldly things. Pray over each one and ask God to decrease your love of the world and increase your love for the good you can do instead.
Bethel Lutheran Church, St. Paul, MN – bethelstpaul.com