Love That Jesus Taught and Showed
Yet I am writing you a new commandment, which is true in him and in you. (I John 2:8)
I Jn. 2:7-8, 4:7-12; Lev. 19:18; Mt. 5:43-46; Jn. 13:35, 15:12; Ga. 2:20
What Is God Saying?
The Letters of John were written late in the First Century. Christianity had taken root about sixty years prior. It was not only beginning to spread to the uttermost parts of the earth, it was also awakening resistance and challenge from others who thought their route to God was more palatable. John's Gospel and all of his letters come from these times and contain clear statements from the beloved and ageing Apostle.
The principal challenge to simple faith and love came from sophisticated Gnostics who taught that there was a dichotomy of the flesh and the spirit. Jesus, being spirit, did not die; however, if Christ did not become man and die for human sin, the substance of the Gospel evaporates (I John 1:7).
‘God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him ... he sent his Son to be the expiation for our sins’ (4:9-10).
How Does This Apply To Us?
The First Letter of John was written that we might know we have eternal life (I John 5:13) and to remind us to show that we walk in the Light as He is in the Light (I John 1:7), and to share the love that we have received from Him (I John 4:11). The Gnostics claimed that since the flesh is inherently and invariably evil, we cannot be blamed for sinning. It is something we cannot help. John says,
‘If we say that we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth’ (I John 1:7).
The inevitable concomitant of light is love. If we do not love, we are walking in darkness. Light, love, and life all go together. In Creation, God said, ‘Let there be light, and there was light.’ In Calvary, God said, ‘Let there be love, and there was love.’ These are blessings received from the Lord, to be shared with others for the Lord.
Love is an old commandment (Lev. 19:18). Why does John call it new? It is new because Jesus spoke of it in a radically new fashion. It is not just respect but self-sacrifice (John 15:13). It is not just to be given to one's neighbors and friends but also to one's enemies and even to those who persecute us. That is the new and true love. It is not easy, but Jesus taught it. Jesus showed it.
Pray With Me
O Lord, let the truth in Christ become the truth in me. Let all darkness in my heart yield to His all-conquering light. I would pray especially that the new commandment, so perfectly true in Christ, would be true in me. I am thankful that the love of Jesus for the Father was linked inseparably to His love for me and others. Love for others is a commandment which is true in Him but not always true in me.
Forgive me, Lord, for when I have tried to build bridges toward You and fences toward my brother. Forgive me that I have tried to open the gates of Heaven's blessings for myself and been unconcerned about opening the gates of my own heart for others. Forgive me that I have wanted pardon and acceptance with You and been slow to give the same to an offending brother.
Lord, in the light of Your truth, help me love as You love, to walk as You walk, and then, to the praise of Your grace, what is perfectly true in You will be true in me.
In the power and the grace of Your transforming Spint. Amen.
Moving On In The Life of Prayer
Prayer is a time of seeking light. We find it in prayer when we listen to the voice of God. Light on the path of life and light for a life of love. Let's find the route and share the fruit of prayer. That's the real blessing of prayer.
