How Can I Grow?
1 John 2:7-17
Mike Maglish

Part of ABIDE
1, 2, 3 John

January 17, 2025

“Intellectual growth should commence at birth and cease only at death” 
Albert Einstein 

7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. 8 At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. —The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (1 Jn 2:7–10). (2016). Crossway Bibles.34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” —The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Jn 13:34–35). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

Things Christians are known for

Judgmental 

Hypocritical 

Honesty

Compassion 

Generosity 

Understanding

Friendliness

Piousness 

Ignorance

We can GROW in LOVE for each other 

10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. —The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (1 Jn 2:9–10). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

STUMBLE - σκάνδαλον (skandalon)

If anyone walks in the day, he does not stumble, because he sees the light of this world. 10 But if anyone walks in the night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” —The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Jn 11:9–10). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

How do we FALL from hating?

Gossip 
Cheat/Swindle 
Lie 
Underhanded 
Push Agenda 
Not Willing to Help 
Turn a blind eye 
Sin 
Cause another to sin 

We STUMBLE LESS when we LOVE MORE

12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. 14 I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one. —The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (1 Jn 2:12–14). (2016). Crossway Bibles.

Little Children (new Christians) 

Sins are forgiven (Vs 12) 

Because you know the Father (Vs 13) 

Young Men - Workers/Fighters

Overcome the evil one (Vs 13) 

You are strong and the Word of God abides in you (vs 14) 

Fathers (Long Time Christian )

Because you know him who is from the beginning (Vs 13) 

Because you know him who is from the beginning (Vs 14) 

Takeaway: FIND where you are and DETERMINE God’s next steps for you