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Vs. 2:5-6: "but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked" -
God’s love perfected in us. Not “perfect" as “without flaw or defect”, but more to be “made complete”. No doubt God’s love is perfect, and in us it will be “without flaw…”, but until we see Him face to face, we will know we are getting closer to Him by how well we keep His word.
Yoda may have said, “There is no Try, only Do or Not Do.” But we always need to Try as well as Do.
“By this we know – (in vs. 6) – we will walk (or, live) as he lived, if we abide in him.
"Walk” – regulate one’s life, to conduct one's self, to pass one's life, to live.
Abiding in Him: is it positional (place) or state (condition)? "Abide” – (in reference to place) to sojourn, tarry, not to depart but to continue to be present, to be held, kept continually. – or, (in reference to state or condition) to remain as one, not to become another or different. See Col. 1:10, 2:6.
Both senses work – if we are present in Christ, if we are kept continually in Him – we will live thus and so. If we are “one” with Christ, if we are not different than Him, then we will live thus and so.
If you say it, then live it. – That is how you will know and God are on the same “page”.
| Whoever keeps word will: “Walk” “Abide” |
Old and New Commandments
Vss. 2:7 - "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." - An old commandment as compared to a new Commandment – What is the old commandment? Perhaps it is Deut. 6:4,5 "Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.. Or perhaps it is “Believe and you will be saved.” Or perhaps “Obedience is better than sacrifice” 1 Sam. 15:22.
What is the new commandment – It could be “If you are His, then live your life abides in Christ”, or perhaps even “love your brother.”
All of those are possibilities, but I think the old commandment is as follows: Love the Lord, love your neighbor. The word from the beginning – obey and trust the Lord, Love the Lord…
The following are samples of following God's commands (or not...):
Gen.12:4 – Abram did as God commanded.
years wandering because they would not obey. Exodus – 40
Love God - Deut. 6:4-6
“we will serve the Lord” - Josh. 24:14,15
generation that did not know the Lord. - Judg 2:11
God will not abandon; but fear and serve. - 1 Sam. 12:20-24
Because you have not kept the commandment - 1 Sam. 13:14 –
Or,
Because they did not obey. - Gen. 3:14, 17
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Vs. 2:8 – "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."
“On the other hand…” Now, in this verse – a new commandment. The old commandment a “Word” they have heard. The new commandment – 'which is true in Him and in you' is a little obtuse. There seems to be no direct reference. However, it is implied believers will know, non-believers will not have a clue. We can love, because He did. That kind of love is incomprehendable. The "normal" view of God (esp. the OT God) is one of wrath and commands, demands of obedience. This command is LOVE. Love God, love your neighbor, love your fellow believers. Love is the emphasis, not obedience. (Obedience was never for obedience sake, but in response to God). Remember, Jesus is called the light of the world John 1:3-9. Jesus was obedient, to the point of death Phil. 2:5-9 The "old" commandment is "Love the Lord your God." The "new" commandment is "Love others as Jesus loved you." That is, love God, love neighbors, love strangers, love enemies. LOVE!
| New commandment True in Him True in you Why? –darkness passing away |
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Look at some of the references to “light” – and that Jesus came to quench the darkness. Satan is the lord of darkness. Jesus came to destroy the works of the Devil.
John 1:5 – darkness did not comprehend light
John 3:19 – men loved the darkness rather than light.
John 12:35,36, 46 - in darkness you don't know where you're going
John 13:34 – love one another, as I have
John 15:12 – ditto
Rom. 5:8 – God demonstrates His love…
Eph. 5:1,2 – walk in love…
Acts 13:47 - a light for the Gentiles
Rom 2:19 - a light to those in darkness
Rom 13:12 - put on the armor of light
1 Cor 4:5 - God will bring to light the things hidden
2 Cor. 4:4,6 - Light will. Shine out of the darkness
2 Cor. 6:14 - fellowship of light with darkness?
Eph. 5:13 - visible when exposed to light
Col. 1:12 - inheritance of the saints in light
1 Thess 5:5 - sons of light and day.
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