The one who says he is in the Light and yet hates his brother is in the darkness…The one who loves his brother abides in the Light and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But the one who hates his brother…walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going because the darkness has blinded his eyes. – 1 John 2:9-11
Those of us who have accepted Christ as our Savior form a community of believers. This community of faith is to be known for the care and concern it shows to its members. “If we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
The commitment of the Christian faith is twofold. First, it is vertical—our commitment to God. It is also horizontal—our commitment to each other. God says that we cannot claim to be close to Him if we are not close to our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
How does the love of God dwell in us? God did not just say that He loves His people. He demonstrated His love by coming down to be with us. God did not stay apart from us. So dwelling in His Son, He lived among us for a while.
We also connect to God today by connecting with others through the body of believers, His church.