1 John 2:10 ¹⁰The one who loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.

This verse gives the opposite of verse 9. Love is the primary evidence that someone is right with God and living in the light. The way we can know if we are walking in the light is how we relate to the people around us. John has already shown that abiding in the light is the profound relationship of faith in Jesus and obedience to what he taught, especially his command to love. This verse provides a strong foundation for Christian ethics. All of Christian behavior is built on one’s love for one’s brother or sister. Any other type of response will be an opportunity to stumble.

The image of light shows how love illumines one’s path and gives a clear direction to go. Love is the guide that keeps a person from falling into sin. Stumbling (skandalon) comes into English as “scandal,” and it is used in reference to trapping animals. Spiritually, it represents falling into the trap of sin and deceit. Temptation is the snare that captures a person. The stumbling in this verse is not accidental in the sense that the command is clear, and the light is available; however, a person chooses to continue in the darkness of sin.

The way to live a victorious life, represented by the clarity and safety of the light, is to abide in Jesus’ love. The light is the reflection of Jesus’ image within us. The light is the holiness that results from God’s forgiveness and cleansing in response to our confession. Holiness becomes evident in our relationships with others as we learn to love in action. Love is holiness lived out in relationships. This path brings assurance of our relationship with God and develops our relationships with others.