TOPIC: ANCIENT AND MODERN
TEXT: 1John 2:7-17(NKJV)
2:7. Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning.
2:8. Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.
2:9. He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now.
2:10. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him.
2:11. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
2:12. I write to you, little children, Because your sins are forgiven you for His name’s sake.
2:13. I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him [who is] from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father.
2:14. I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him [who is] from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one.
2:15. Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
2:16. For all that [is] in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world.
2:17. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
STUDY:
In verse 7 of today’s reading, John calls love an old commandment but in verse 8, he calls it the new commandment. Love is truly both an old and a new commandment. God commands us to love our neighbors in Leviticus 19:18 while in John 13:34, Jesus calls love a new commandment and interpreted it in a new dimension which is expressed through selfless giving, self-sacrifice, servanthood; doing good to your enemies and praying for those who hate or humiliate you. Love extends to forgiving your enemies and giving them food and drink. In fact, love is the mark of Christianity. Jesus said that by loving will all men know that we are his disciples (John 13:35). Some Christians do not see anything wrong in making enemies, hence in their homes, villages, churches, and business places, they have enemies and their major prayer point is “Let all my enemies die!” Verses 8 and 11 tell us that anyone who claims to be a Christian, and hates his brother or neighbor, is not a Christian – he is walking in darkness. Verse 15 advises us not to love the world or the things that are in it. Loving the world means conforming to the standard of the world, that is, joining the world to practice corruption, cheating, stealing, lustful pleasure, pride, etc. Read God’s advice in Romans 12:2. The world and everything in it will perish one day, but whoever lives to please God will have eternal life. Make a decision under God today to love your neighbors and yield your life and desires totally to God.
PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, help me to love others through my actions. Help me to yield my members and desires to you, Amen!
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