The last of John’s examples is again negative and follows quite naturally upon what precedes it. There he has spoken of the man who loves his brother and has shown the consequences of that. There are three consequences. After these, John appends a final and summarizing explanation.
The first consequence is in the nature of an observation: the one who hates his brother is in darkness. This is the simplest expression of the test in its negative form. The second consequence is that he walks in darkness. This adds the idea of continuing action or a continuing sphere of activity. It is not just that the man who fails to love his brother is without the knowledge of God; it is also that everything he does is in darkness and is characterized by darkness. He continues in it. Finally, John adds that although he continues in his darkened walk, he does so without any clear knowledge of a goal. He walks on, for the way of the ungodly is one of restless activity; but he “knoweth not where he goeth” (cf. John 12:35).
There is only one explanation for this incredible state of affairs, a state where men walk in darkness even though the true light is shining and do not have a goal even though God’s goal in Christ has been made clear. It is that men are blind and cannot see the light nor discern the goal. Clearly there is no hope for such except in God, who is able to give sight to the blind and direct the sinner’s feet in the paths of righteousness.
This last verse introduces a term which may also in conclusion be applied to the life of love. It is the term “walk,” which suggests practical steps. What is love after all? It is not just a certain benign feeling. It is not a smile. It is an attitude which determines what one does. Therefore, it is impossible to speak of love in the Christian sense without at least suggesting some of the actions which ought to flow from it, just as it is impossible to speak of the love of God without mentioning such things as the creation of man in His image, the giving of the Old Testament revelation, the coming of Christ, the cross, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and other realities.
