Pastor Billy Myron continues his study in 1 John, reviewing chapters 1 and 2 while focusing on verses 6-11. He ties together key themes of abiding, walking, light and darkness, fellowship, and the new commandment to love one another.
In 1 John 2:6-11, John emphasizes that claiming to abide in Christ requires walking as He walked. The commandment to love is both old (heard from the beginning) and new in quality as the true light shines. Loving one’s brother means abiding in the light with no stumbling, while hating a brother places one in darkness, blinded and unable to see the path ahead.
From chapter 1, John declares God is light with no darkness. True fellowship with God and believers requires walking in the light, where the blood of Jesus cleanses from sin. Walking in darkness while claiming fellowship is a lie. This is reinforced in 2 Corinthians 6:14, showing light and darkness have no fellowship.
Fellowship is a spiritual sacrifice pleasing to God (Hebrews 13:15-16) and central to John’s purpose for writing—so believers may have fellowship and full joy. The “walk” refers to daily life decisions and conduct. Galatians 5:16 links walking by the Spirit to overcoming fleshly desires.
John addresses knowing God by experience through keeping His commandments (1 John 2:3-5). Abiding (Greek meno) means making oneself at home in Christ, remaining connected like a branch in the vine (John 15). Jesus teaches that abiding in Him and His words produces much fruit; without it, nothing is accomplished. Keeping commandments allows one to abide in Christ’s love.
The new commandment echoes Jesus’ words in John 15:12 to love one another as He loved. Hating (Greek miseo)—indifference or apathy toward a brother’s needs—is incompatible with light and agape love. This is echoed in 1 John 4:20 and James 2, where genuine faith produces works of love, not mere words.
John shows a growth process: different levels of maturity, ongoing pruning, and learning to walk consistently in the light. Denying sin or lacking love prevents fellowship, the book’s key goal. Abiding in love means abiding in God.
