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.
THE STUDY:
It would first
appear that John is contradicting himself when he says in verse 7 this is “NOT”
a new commandment yet in this verse he says it “IS” a new commandment. This is not
the case at all. There are two aspects that will help us understand this:
Literal aspect and theological aspect.
LITERAL - The word new in Greek suggests that the old has given
birth to the new. The old does not cease to exist but continues along with the
new. We note a good example with respect to the two testaments: the Old
Testament prepared the way for the New Testament, but did not lose its validity
when the New arrived. Likewise, the old command addressed the people of the Old
Testament era but kept its validity when Jesus came. Jesus gave this command
greater significance, in a new form, in the context of the New Testament.[1]
THEOLOGICAL – What we read in this passage is prompted from Lev. 19:18 (“Love
your neighbor as yourself”). The newness of this was due to the fact that
Jesus says this LOVE is to extend to our enemies (Matt. 5:43-44) as well as
love for God and our neighbors.
He explained the meaning of the command to love one another by removing man-made obstacles and by revealing the divine intent and purpose of this
particular command. The command, then, has been continuously in force from the
beginning of history to the present, for it does not grow old with time.[2]
What’s really interesting is how
John shares with the reader that this command is being lived out in most of the
believer. This is found in the latter part of verse 8, “because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already
shining.” The reason for the darkness passing away and the light taking
over is due to the fact that many were coming to the belief and knowledge of
our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
WHAT WE CAN WALK
AWAY WITH ….
- I wonder if we took a long look at ourselves could we say the light is shining forth from us? I believe if we are in the truth and letting Jesus have complete control, the light that John is talking about will be evident. Not just to us but to those who are around us. Let your light shine today.
CONCLUSION:
I found an article from “Christian Victory” that
was very interesting concerning LIGHT. Science
tells us that light is constituted of three rays, or groups of wavelengths,
distinct from each other, no one of which without the others would be light.
Each ray has its own separate function. The first originates, the second
formulates, illuminates or manifests, and the third consummates. The first ray,
often called invisible light, is neither seen nor felt. The second is both seen
and felt. The third is not seen but is felt as heat. [3]
The first
thing I thought of after reading this paragraph was the TRINITY (Father, Son,
Holy Spirit). To sum up my thought from this passage let me say this, “Let your
light shine! This light is the Glory of the Father, Salvation from the Son, and
the Burning of the Holy Spirit that shines from the believer. This little light
of mine, I’m gonna to let it shine!
Blessings my friends
Pastor Rod
[1]
Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament
commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament
Commentary (260). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
[2]
Kistemaker, S. J., & Hendriksen, W. (1953-2001). Vol. 14: New Testament
commentary : Exposition of James and the Epistles of John. New Testament
Commentary (260). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.
[3]
Tan, P. L. (1996). Encyclopedia of 7700
Illustrations: Signs of the Times. Garland, TX: Bible Communications, Inc.
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