Description

In this episode Jake, Matt, and Sam dig deeper into 1 John 2:7-11 and the love test: the claim to “walk in the light” must be matched by a real, Christ-shaped love for others. But the tension is that both the Bible and the world talk about love—often with very different definitions. This episode helps clarify what Christian love actually is, why it’s inseparable from truth, and how love isn’t something believers merely try harder to produce—it’s something we reflect because we’ve first been loved by Christ.

Highlights from the message:

• Main Point: Receive the love of Christ to reflect the love of Christ.
• The love test: Claiming to be “in the light” while hating a brother exposes a disconnect—“still in darkness.”
• Old commandment / new commandment: Not new in existence (“love one another”), but new in quality—love as Jesus loved (John 13:34).
• Love and truth belong together: The world often defines love as affirmation or feeling, but biblical love “rejoices with the truth.”
• Jesus’ motive in love (John 11): Even painful delays can be love when the goal is deeper belief and greater joy in Christ (“so that you may believe”).
• A working definition: Love is the sacrificial work of helping others find satisfaction in God through Christ.
• Light produces love: As the “true light” shines (God revealed in Christ), believers are changed—we love because he first loved us.
• Love is reflective: Like the moon reflecting the sun—when love dims, something is blocking the light.

Practical application:

• Check your definition of love: Don’t start with cultural assumptions and fit Jesus under them—start with Christ and let him define love.
• Measure love by eternity, not comfort: Christian love aims at eternal good, not merely temporary approval or peace.
• Fight “eclipse” blockers: Competition, resentment, slander, jealousy, and bitterness often reveal we’ve lost sight of what we have in Christ.
• Re-anchor in the gospel daily: The fastest way to grow love is not willpower, but being freshly overwhelmed by Christ’s patience, mercy, forgiveness, and inheritance given to you.
• Let love validate discipleship: John 13:35—how we love each other is meant to make Jesus visible.

Resources Currently Available at the Veritas Church Bookstore:

1 John - The Gospel-Centered Life in the Bible

1-3 John - Knowing The Bible 12 Week Study

1,2, & 3 John For You - God’s Word For You

Don’t Follow You Heart

1-3 John ESV Scripture Journal

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