ABIDE IN CHRIST

PROCLAMATION

“Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in darkness.”  1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written by the apostle John, under the inspiration of The Holy Spirit of God, to all believers.  John begins this second chapter of his first letter telling them not to sin, but if they sin, Jesus, The Christ, and The Son of God, is their atoning sacrifice and their advocate to God, The Father. (1 John 2:1-2)  Then he says that they will know that they know Christ if they keep His commands.  Anyone who claims to know Christ but does not keep His commands is a liar. (1 John 2:3-6)  John also says that he is writing them to remind them of an old command.  Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother or sister is still in darkness. (1 John 2:7-11)  He also tells them not to love the world or anything in the world.  Anyone who loves the world cannot love God, The Father. (1 John 2:15-17)  He warns them not to deny Christ and then tells them about the antichrist. (1 Peter 2:18-23)  He ends by saying that he is writing these things to them because there are those among them who would lead them astray and he wants them to continue in Christ. (1 John 2:26-29)

 

APPLICATION

As believers we are not just to avoid sin, we are also to advocate following Christ.  We are to tell people about Christ, and we are to live and behave in such a way that people will see Christ in us.  Since our actions speak louder than our words, our walk must be consistent with our talk.  Our actions and our conversation should be different from those who are not saved, and our worldly friends who knew us beforehand should see a change in us as compared to before we accepted Christ.  Remember, the world and its desires will soon pass away. (1 John 2:17)