Issue 1429 – A New Commandment – April 23, 2024
Our Monday night community group gathering, where we share food, fellowship, and prayer, holds a special place as we delve into the Sunday sermon. This practice not only allows us to delve deeper into the Word but also helps us remember and apply what we heard preached.
The sermon series continues to be an overview of 1,2,3 John. Our Sunday text was,
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. 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. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him[b] there is no cause for stumbling. 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. I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name’s sake.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.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. 1 John 2:7-14
This passage is typical of the Apostle John’s writing. He is passionate about Jesus and has a shepherd’s heart. He cares deeply about his audience and wants them to know and love Jesus. He reminds them of their forgiveness.
It’s crucial to note that this passage is an excellent example of the need to read Scripture in context. John’s words in verse 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,” are not isolated, but part of a larger message that we can only fully grasp by considering the entire letter.
He doesn’t say what the commandment is, only that it is what they have already heard. What had they heard? We read it much later in the letter.
For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 1 John 3:11
They had also heard John preach and write about the commandment Jesus had given. They would have heard him speak Jesus’ words many times.
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. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35
That idea of loving others as Jesus loved us is sobering. How does he love us? He loves us with an intentional, unconditional love more profound than anything we could ever know. He loves us enough to humble himself, leaving behind the trappings due to His name and take on human nature. He loved us to the point of consenting to rejection, mocking, false accusations, torture and death.
I looked around at the faces I could see on Sunday morning and thought, ‘Yes, I love these people, or at least I am trying to.” Then I remembered Jesus had also said, “Just as I have loved you,” and I knew that on my best day, I could not do so.
We need the Spirit working in us to make that happen. We cannot generate and sustain that level of love on our own.
We have Him at work in us, and we can choose to follow Him or not. When we fall, He forgives us.
I imagined a world where we loved one another as Christ loved us. What a beautiful thought.
Jesus, I pray, please teach your church to love one another as you have loved us. May the world see the difference you make in us and give you glory.
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV)