The New Old Commandment

ByJim Stephens

Scripture: 1 John 2:7-11 TPT (Click link for scripture in You Version)

7 Beloved, I’m not writing a new commandment to you, but an old one that you had from the beginning, and you’ve already heard it. 8 Yet, in a sense, it is a new commandment, as its truth is made manifest both in Christ and in you, because the darkness is disappearing and the true light is already blazing. 9 Anyone who says, “I am in the light,” while holding hatred in his heart toward a fellow believer is still in the darkness. 10 But the one who truly loves a fellow believer lives in the light, and there is nothing in him that will cause someone else to stumble. 11 But whoever hates a fellow believer lives in the darkness—stumbling around in the dark with no clue where he is going, for he is blinded by the darkness. (1 John 2:7-11 TPT)

John had heard Jesus’ teaching about Keeping God’s Commandments. Jesus was clear in his teaching and John was clear on its meaning and application. Jesus taught: 1) These are the two important commandments: Love God supremely, Love others as you love yourself. (Matthew 22:37-40). 2) Love your enemies. (Matthew 5:43-48) 3) Then Jesus said, “I have a New Commandment for you! Love each other as I have loved you.” (John 13:34)

Now John says, “I’m writing an old commandment to you. It’s one that Jesus gave us before he left for heaven. But it’s actually a new commandment, because now, with Christ’s Spirit living in us and his Light shining in our hearts, we can actually begin to obey this commandment by Christ’s power.”

  • Here’s the new-old commandment stated negatively: “If you say you’re In The Light, but you hold hatred toward another believer in your heart, you’re still in darkness. You need to quit stumbling around in the dark and come out into the light.”
  • Here’s the new-old commandment stated positively: “Love your fellow believers as you love yourselves. 1) You’ll be living in the light, 2) The light will expose the darkness in you wherever it is hiding, 3) The atoning blood of Jesus will cleanse that dark corner of your heart,  4) You won’t cause someone else to stumble into darkness.”

Prayer:

Father, I open my heart to the light of Christ. Expose my darkness and cleanse my heart of sin. I commit to keep your loving commandments. For Jesus’ sake! Amen!