Character Witness: The New Commandment (1 John 2:7-14)

Introduction

John’s writing thus far has been centered around God is light. John is encouraging believers to walk in the light as He is in the light, and that darkness has no place in the life of the believer because there is no darkness in God, at all. Living a life in the light is proof of one’s fellowship with God and one another.

Last week, we learned Jesus, the Righteous One, is our advocate with the Father. He is the atonement for all sins; however, it is only those who believe in Jesus who are and will be saved. Finally, the love of God is perfected in the one who abides in Him by living in the same way as Jesus by following His words. Today, we are going to look at the new commandment.

In this portion of the letter, John talks about an old commandment that at the same time is new. What is the old but new commandment John is referring to? How can it be old and new at the same time? What does obedience to this command look like?

1 John 2:7–14 ESV

7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. 8 At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. 12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. 14 I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

What does God say?

1 John 2:7–8 ESV

7 Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. 8 At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.

“Beloved” is an another affectionate way to address those who are in Christ.

What is the old but new commandment?

John starts by saying he is writing no new commandment but an old one that they heard from the beginning. What is the old commandment they heard from the beginning? One must look back to what was previously stated in verses 5 and 6. Those verses contrast those who say they do but don’t with those that do. The ones that say and don’t keep his commandments are liars and the truth is not in them. The ones that do demonstrates God’s love is perfected in them. Also, John uses the word “abides” in verse 6 to identify how we know one is truly in Jesus. The word “abide” was used extensively in the Gospel of John chapter 15 one must have with Jesus to be truly considered His disciple. Within the context of John’s writings (gospel and letter), the commandment has to deal with love. Therefore, the old commandment is about love and most likely the command to “love your neighbor as yourself” given in Lev 19:18.

Understanding of this commandment is key to unlocking what John is saying here. Biblical love is essentially “an act of the will accompanied by emotion that leads to actions on behalf of its object” (Voddie Baucham). There are different levels of love i.e. apage, philo, and eros. A biblical definition of “neighbor” is one of the same clan/group or it can be a stranger. When we have this command given to us in Scripture, we must understand who is the object of the love in that context. (Lev 19:18; Luke 10:25-37; Romans 15:1-6). In this letter, John is referring to fellow believers in Christ. How do I conclude this? First, he uses “brother” as the object of love. Second, this letter is sent to address an issue concerning false teachers who have infiltrated the church and trying to introduce heresy. Unlike Peter’s letter which primarily focus on Christians living in the world, John’s letter is teaching how to discern a true Christian from one who claims to be in fellowship with Christ.

How can it be old and new at the same time?

Nevertheless, the old commandment is a new one as well. How can this be? It is new because it is true in Jesus Christ who is the perfect example of the commandment. And the new commandment is “love one another as He has loved them”. John 13:34–35 “34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”” John 15:12–13 “12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” Yet again, John identifies Jesus as perfect example to follow. Also, John stated he has seen the new commandment fulfilled in them as well.

The result is found in their ministry with the statement “because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining.” Remember, darkness represents evil. Thus, John acknowledges God’s work in the world through Jesus Christ, who works in us, to overcome evil in the world.

What does obedience to the command look like?

1 John 2:9–11 ESV

9 Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 10 Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling. 11 But whoever hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

Whoever says. . .

Whoever says he is in the light (fellowship with God) but hates his brother is still in darkness

Whoever hates his brother is in the darkness, walks in the darkness, does not know where he is going because darkness has blinded his eyes

Essentially, what we have learned thus far about those who walk in darkness: 1) lie and liars; 2) do not practice the truth; 3) deceive themselves; 4) spiritually blind

Those who obey the new commandment. . .

Abides in the light which is demonstrated by love for his brother (fellow Christian)

There is no cause for stumbling for those who abide in the light because the light of God is in them. The phrase “no cause for stumbling” is important in understanding hatred towards a brother. The ones that walks in darkness stumbles, therefore they will lead others who follow to stumble as well. Thus to cause another Christian to stumble into sin is hatred.

They are overcomers because of Jesus

1 John 2:12–14 ESV

12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake. 13 I am writing to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I write to you, children, because you know the Father. 14 I write to you, fathers, because you know him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

The usage of children, fathers, and young men could be addressing spiritual maturity, age, or time in the fellowship. Nevertheless, John wrote this to highlight the work of God through Jesus Christ in their lives. Essentially, they have overcome the evil on because of Jesus.

Conclusion

First, we are overcomers because of Jesus. Second, the new commandment is to love one another as Jesus Christ has loved us. Plainly, Jesus is the example for how to love your fellow Christian. So love your brothers and sisters in Christ without causing them to stumble. Does the world need Jesus’ love demonstrated towards them? Absolutely! Jesus taught us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. An essential part of loving your neighbor as yourself is to be merciful as God is merciful. Therefore, to those who are not in fellowship with Jesus and us, we present the gospel and live a life that reflects Jesus. Like Jesus said, lights on the hill that everyone can see our good works resulting in God being glorified.