Beloved, I am not writing a new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard. On the other hand, I am writing a new commandment to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true Light is already shining.
Although John was combating new heresies, he was teaching the same system of doctrines which his readers had received since they became Christians. It was also a part of the original Jewish law handed down to Moses – walking in the holiness of God, caring for others, etc. But this commandment was renewed by Christ with a greater meaning and clarification as well as grace to observe it. So it is an old commandment which was from the beginning of time as well as being a new commandment illustrated and clarified by Christ’s teachings and life – the idea of loving one another enough to even lay down one’s life. As people are changed into new creations by the gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining although it will not be completely perfected until the second coming.
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