The True Meaning of Biblical Love
Understanding True Love: Lessons from 1 John 2
Love is a word we use frequently, but do we truly understand its biblical meaning? In 1 John 2, we find a powerful reminder about what genuine love looks like in the life of a believer. This ancient wisdom has profound implications for how we live and interact with others today.
What Does the Bible Say About Love?
In 1 John 2:7, we read: "Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment but an old commandment that you've had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard."
This "old commandment" refers to love - specifically the commands found in Deuteronomy 6:5 to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your might" and in Leviticus 19:18 to "love your neighbor as yourself."
Contrary to what some believe, love wasn't a new concept introduced in the New Testament. The God of the Old Testament clearly emphasized love as central to faith. However, Jesus did bring a new dimension to this ancient command.
How Did Jesus Transform Our Understanding of Love?
In 1 John 2:8, John writes: "At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining."
The Greek word for "new" here (kaine) means new in quality, not in time. Jesus took the ancient command to love and expanded it in radical ways:
In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus reaffirms loving God and neighbor as the greatest commandments
In John 13:34, Jesus commands us to "love one another, just as I have loved you"
In Matthew 5:43-44, Jesus says, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you"
Jesus raised the bar significantly. We're called to love not just those who are like us or those who like us, but everyone - including our enemies.
What Happens When We Don't Love Others?
John makes a stark declaration in 1 John 2:9: "Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness."
This creates a clear contrast between light and darkness, good and evil, love and hate. John is helping us identify what a life produced by a genuine relationship with God looks like, because there are counterfeits.
The world is full of "artificial light" - things that appear to be love but aren't authentic. John is addressing false teachers who claimed to follow God but whose lives didn't demonstrate true love.
How Can We Recognize True Believers?
According to 1 John 2:10, "Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling."
True believers can be recognized by:
Their obedience to God
Their awareness of their own sinfulness
Their acceptance of forgiveness
Their genuine love for others
We all know people who claim to follow Jesus but are mean-spirited. John suggests that one of the core elements of genuine faith is love for others - including those who hurt us.
What About Those Who Don't Show Love?
In 1 John 2:11, we read: "But whoever hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes."
Scholars believe John was referring to false teachers who were leading people astray by not walking in love. These teachers were operating out of selfishness, which John characterizes as a form of hatred for fellow believers.
This raises an important question: Do we see this today? Do we see people who claim to act in love but are actually leading others astray?
Is Tolerance the Same as Love?
One of the most challenging aspects of this passage is understanding what true love looks like in practice. Many today equate tolerance with love, but they're not the same thing.
John suggests that not loving someone properly is so serious that it's comparable to walking in hatred toward them. True love isn't simply accepting everything about a person - it's wanting God's best for them.
We cannot redefine love according to cultural standards. We must hold to God's definition, even when it's difficult or countercultural.
How Should Christians Communicate Truth in Love?
This doesn't mean communicating truth in a hateful manner. In fact, we should stand against that approach. But if we want to see our communities change, we need people who truly love as God defines love.
Many Christians have fallen into the trap of communicating truth not out of love but out of a desire to be right. This misses the point entirely.
In our current cultural moment, which can feel chaotic and confusing, we must:
Stand firmly on biblical truth
Learn how to love people authentically
Communicate with grace and compassion
Life Application
The challenge before us is significant: to be people who genuinely love others while remaining faithful to God's truth. This week, consider these questions:
Am I more concerned with being right than seeing someone come to Jesus?
Do I define love according to God's standards or cultural standards?
How can I better communicate truth with genuine love and compassion?
Is there someone in my life - perhaps even an "enemy" - whom God is calling me to love more authentically?
True love isn't always easy, but it's the unmistakable mark of someone who belongs to God and walks in His light. Let's commit to being "the most loving people that love deeply" - not according to the world's definition, but according to God's.
