The Believer’s Badge

In this message centering on 1 John 2:7–11, Chuck Swindoll explores the single most distinguishing mark of a Christian: love. He begins by recounting the poignant friendship between Chicago Bears running backs Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo, noting that just as Sayers never forgot his bond with the dying Piccolo, the Apostle John never forgot the love of his Savior. Swindoll transports the listener back 60 years prior to John’s letter, to the Upper Room in John 13, where Jesus washed the disciples' feet. Swindoll emphasizes that Jesus loved His disciples "to the end," demonstrating a patience that endured despite their slowness to understand [4–7]. Swindoll explains the tension between the "old commandment" and the "new commandment" mentioned in the text. The old command, found in Leviticus 19, required loving one's neighbor as oneself—a duty based on self-interest. The new command, however, is Christ-centered and sacrificial; it is a one-directional love that seeks the best for others regardless of their response [12–15]. Swindoll warns that the alternative to this love is living in darkness. He defines hatred not just as active malice, but as a "strong aversion" or detachment that blinds a believer, twisting their judgment and ruining their fellowship with God [17–18, 23]. The message concludes by identifying the true "badge" of the believer. Citing Francis Schaeffer, Swindoll argues that the mark of a Christian is not a cross, a fish symbol, or a Bible, but a visible love for one another that the world cannot explain. He challenges the congregation to "lead with a limp"—admitting their own weaknesses rather than feigning perfection—and to actively practice forgiveness, ending the service with a practical exercise of saying "I love you" to those nearby [24–26, 29].

Message Key Facts:

• Gale Sayers and Brian Piccolo: Swindoll uses the story of these two football players—one black, one white—who were the first interracial roommates in the NFL. When Piccolo was dying of cancer, Sayers accepted an award on his behalf, telling the crowd, "I love Brian Piccolo, and I'd like you to love him too." This illustrates a love that transcends barriers [4–5].
• The Upper Room Memory: Swindoll suggests that when John wrote his epistle in his 90s, he could still feel "the water between his toes" from the night Jesus washed his feet. This act of servanthood, where the Master ignored rank and protocol, became the anchor for John's theology of love [9–10].
• Old vs. New Command:
  • Old Command (Leviticus 19:18): "Love your neighbor as yourself." The standard is how much you love yourself.
  • New Command (1 John 2:8): "Love one another as I have loved you." The standard is Christ’s sacrificial love, enabled by the Holy Spirit [12–15].
• Defining Hate: Swindoll notes that the Greek word miseo implies a "strong aversion" or "to detest." He warns that hatred has many shades, including ignoring people ("he's of no concern to me") or considering them a nuisance. If a believer habitually lives this way, they are walking in darkness [17–19].
• The Mark of a Christian: Referencing Francis Schaeffer’s book, Swindoll notes that the badge of a believer is not a lapel pin, a bumper sticker, or seminary degree. It is love exhibited in the midst of disagreement and forgiveness.
• "Leading with a Limp": Swindoll recommends a book by Dan Allender titled Leading with a Limp. He uses this concept to encourage believers to lead from a place of admitted weakness and inadequacy rather than arrogance, which fosters authentic fellowship [24–25].
• Saul and David: To illustrate how hate blinds a person, Swindoll points to King Saul. Saul’s envy of David twisted his judgment, causing him to waste years hunting a man who had done him no wrong.

Message References:

• 1 John 2:7–11: The primary text regarding the old and new commandments and the danger of hating a brother.
• John 13:1–15: The Gospel account of Jesus washing the disciples' feet and giving the new commandment [6–10].
• Leviticus 19:17–18: The source of the "old commandment": "You shall not take vengeance... but you shall love your neighbor as yourself" [14–15].
• Hebrews 4:12: Quoted in the introduction regarding the Word of God being a "discerner" or "critic" of the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
• 1 Corinthians 13 & Galatians 5: Referenced as the best descriptions of the "new" kind of love (patient, kind, fruit of the Spirit).

Message Speaker:

Pastor Chuck Swindoll