This morning we continue in our study through the first letter of John as we consider 1 John 2:7-14. In the text we see that the beloved of God are those who abide in the light of love, enjoying forgiveness, knowing God, and victory over the evil one. The structure of the text seems to be organized into two main sections. First, we see the the old, yet new commandment in verses 7 through 11. Second, we see the reassuring confidence of John’s writing in verses 12 through 14. In our passage, we also get to explore the reason for God's forgiveness and the source of our strength. The strength of a Christian is not found in their ability to abide, but in the strength of the Word of God that abides in them. Our strength does not rest on our ability to stay with Jesus, but His ability to stay with us. May God give us grace to believe the gospel, rejoicing in the reality that we are beloved, and may this empower us to abide in the light of love. We get to enjoy knowing God and walking in victory over the evil one because of God's grace shown to us in Jesus. When we walk in the light of love we reflect the truth that the true light is already shining.