1 John 2:9
The sermon emphasizes the inseparable connection between faith and love, highlighting that true believers cannot harbor hatred towards others.
John Gill emphasizes that claiming to be in the light of Christ while harboring hatred towards a brother is contradictory and reveals a state of darkness. He explains that true faith is inherently linked to love, and without love, one remains in spiritual ignorance and under the influence of darkness. Gill also addresses the misconception among some Jews that allows for hatred under certain circumstances, reinforcing that love must prevail among believers regardless of the situation. Ultimately, he asserts that genuine illumination by the Spirit of God must manifest in love for others.
Text
Ver. 9. He that saith he is in the light,.... Is in Christ the light, or has the true knowledge of the light of the Gospel, or is illuminated by the Spirit of God; for persons may profess to be enlightened ones, and not be so: wherefore the apostle does not say, he that is in the light, but he that says he is,
and hateth his brother; who is so either by creation, as all men are brethren, having one Father, that has made them, and brought them up; or by regeneration, being born of God the Father, and in the same family and household of faith; and so regards such who are in a spiritual relation, whom to hate internally, or not to love, is inconsistent with being in the light, or having faith, which is always naturally and necessarily accompanied with the heat of love; for as light and heat, so faith and love go together: wherefore, let a man's profession of light be what it will, if love to his brother is wanting, he
is in darkness even until now; he is in a state of nature and unregeneracy, which is a state of darkness and ignorance; he is under the power of darkness, and in the kingdom of Satan; who is the ruler of the darkness of this world; he ever was so from his birth; he never was called nor delivered out of it, but is still in it to this moment, and so remains. This seems to be very much levelled against the Jews, who make hatred of the brother in some cases lawful: for they say {d},
"if one man observes sin in another, and reproves him for it, and he does not receive his reproof, wtwanvl rtwm, "it is lawful to hate him";''
See Gill on "Mt 5:43".
{d} Moses Kotsensis Mitzvot Tora, pr. neg. 5.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Understanding the concept of being 'in the light'
- The significance of true knowledge of the Gospel
- The role of the Holy Spirit in illumination
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II
- The implications of claiming to be in the light
- The relationship between faith and love
- The contradiction of hatred among believers
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III
- The state of darkness and its consequences
- The nature of unregeneracy
- The influence of the ruler of darkness
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IV
- Addressing misconceptions about love and hatred
- Cultural perspectives on brotherhood
- The call to genuine love among believers
Key Quotes
“He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother... is in darkness even until now.” — John Gill
“Faith and love go together: wherefore, let a man's profession of light be what it will, if love to his brother is wanting, he is in darkness.” — John Gill
“He is under the power of darkness, and in the kingdom of Satan.” — John Gill
Application Points
- Examine your heart to ensure that your faith is accompanied by genuine love for others.
- Recognize the importance of community and brotherhood in your spiritual journey.
- Challenge cultural misconceptions that justify hatred and instead promote love and reconciliation.