Beloved, Be Loving (1 John 2:7-11)

Series: 1 John: That You May Know

Preacher: Pastor Anson McMahon

Pastor Anson begins a deep dive into 1 John 2:7-11, focusing on God's radical definition of love and its profound importance for believers. He emphasizes that our primary identity is being "beloved" by God and explores how Jesus perfectly exemplifies and commands us to show this love to one another, even when it's difficult or inconvenient.

Key Points:

• Our primary identity as followers of Jesus is "beloved" by God.
• God wants His beloved to be loving one another as He has loved us.
• Jesus defines love through His actions: loving everyone, even the unlovable; loving inconveniently; and continuing to love despite disappointment.
• True Christian love may require hard conversations and speaking truth.
• Loving one another, as Jesus loves, prevents us from sinning against each other.
• Hating a brother while claiming to be in the light signifies remaining in darkness.
• Our ability to love others grows as we understand the depth of Jesus' love for us.

Reflect & Discuss: How does the truth of being "beloved" by God impact your identity? In what specific ways can you love others more like Jesus, even when it's inconvenient or they disappoint you? How does loving other believers reflect the light of Christ to the world?

Scripture: 1 John 2:7-11, Leviticus 19:18, John 13:34-35, Ephesians 5:1, 1 John 4:19, Luke 9:51-56.

Keywords: Love, beloved, commandment, Jesus, definition of love, loving others, inconvenience, forgiveness, darkness, light, Pastor Anson.