Into The Breach – Being A Christian ManExemplo

Day 5 — In the light of love

Read: 1 John 2:9-17

Just as Moses enjoined Israel to make a choice—“I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19 NABRE)—the Christian life is also presented in Scripture as a choice. John here poses the alternatives between the path of light or of darkness, the way of love or of hatred (vv. 9-11). The choice to live in the dawning light of Christ implies living in loving fellowship, caring for our brothers so that nothing we do can cause another to fall (v. 10). We cannot live an isolated Christian life because love for others is the touchstone of genuine discipleship. 

John addresses children, fathers, and young men within the family of faith, perhaps indicating different levels of spiritual maturity among believers (vv. 13-14). Each has spiritual resources that can benefit the others. Children stand forgiven of their sin and have a true knowledge of God the Father. Fathers know “him who is from the beginning” (1 John 2:13 NABRE), that is, Jesus Christ, the Word of God (1 John 1:1; John 1:1). And the young men have conquered “the evil one” (1 John 2:13 NABRE). Their victory is realized in the present because of Christ’s victory in the past over all the powers of evil, death, and darkness. The young men overcome the devil because they are strong in faith and rooted in the word of God. 

The “world,” as John uses the word here, means everything that is alienated from God and hostile to his ways (v. 15). He describes a person who loves the world as one who craves physical gratification, covets with his eyes, and boasts in material possessions (v 16). So a “worldly” person is one whose thoughts, desires, and activities are self-centered. But the darkness of the world is passing, and the light of God’s kingdom is dawning. 

REFLECT: What resources do I have for continuing to choose the will of God? 

PRAY: Father, I desire to know you and your Son who is from the beginning. As your grace has enabled me to choose the light of Christ, continue to guide me with the strength that comes from the word of God.