What is the meaning of 1 John 2:8? Then again, I am also writing to you a new commandment John has just reminded his readers that the commandment to love is “not new, but old” (1 John 2:7), rooted in God’s unchanging nature. Yet he turns and calls it “new,” because: • Jesus renewed and intensified it: “A new commandment I give you: Love one another” (John 13:34). • It is new in scope—love is now measured by the self-giving sacrifice of Christ, not merely by reciprocal kindness. • It is new in power—believers, regenerated by the Spirit, receive the capacity to obey from within (Ezekiel 36:26-27). Which is true in Him The commandment is “true” (genuine, fully lived out) in Jesus Himself. He is the flawless embodiment of divine love: • He loved “to the very end” (John 13:1). • On the cross He displayed love that “covers a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8). • Every teaching and act of Christ confirmed that love fulfills God’s law (Matthew 22:37-40; Romans 13:10). Because He fulfills the command, its truth is anchored forever; it is not an abstract ideal but a life witnessed in history. And also in you What is true in Christ must become true in His people. • New birth brings believers into the same light and love (1 John 3:14). • “God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit” (Romans 5:5). • Love now serves as the family likeness that identifies children of God (John 13:35). Progress may be imperfect, yet the presence of genuine, active love is evidence of salvation (Galatians 5:22; James 2:15-17). For the darkness is fading John explains why this commandment is now both fresh and urgent—spiritual night is retreating. • Christ’s victory at Calvary broke the dominion of evil (Hebrews 2:14-15). • “The night is nearly over; the day has drawn near” (Romans 13:12). • Satan’s realm still opposes, but its defeat is certain; every act of Christian love hastens its demise (1 John 4:12). And the true light is already shining The verse ends in celebration: the light has dawned and continues to spread. • Jesus declared, “I am the Light of the world” (John 8:12). • Through union with Him, believers become “light in the Lord” (Ephesians 5:8) and “the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14-16). • Wherever Christ’s people love, the radiance of the gospel pushes back darkness and guides others toward salvation (2 Corinthians 4:6). summary 1 John 2:8 announces that the command to love, ancient yet renewed in Christ, is now vividly alive—demonstrated perfectly in Jesus and progressively in His followers. Because Christ’s light has already pierced the world’s darkness and that darkness is passing away, believers are called to display the same self-giving love, confident that every act of obedience participates in the unstoppable advance of the true light. |
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