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"Again, a new commandment I write to you..."

Text: 1 John 2:8

A PLAY ON WORDS

The Apostle John played on the word “new” when he wrote the following sentences;-

“Brethren, I write no new commandment to you,
but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning…
Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you,
because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining.”
1 John 2:7-8

1. “Again, a new commandment I write to you…”

a) The “new commandment” is the same as the “old commandment”.

i) John must of course be consistent with himself.

ii) He cannot contradict himself.

b) In what sense was John writing “a new commandment?”

i) There is a special sense of “newness” in the old commandment.

ii) The Lord Jesus spoke of His teachings as “commandments”.

iii) These commandments are truly “new” in terms of chronology (time).

2. “Which thing is true in Him”

a) Jesus was the truth personified.

b) He may indeed say, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)

c) That which Jesus taught was embodied in His life.

3. “And in you”

a) The “new” approach was to see “truth” written in the heart.

b) The teachings of Jesus were now in the heart and mind of those who believed in Him.

4. “Because the darkness is passing away”

a) The word “darkness” was used as an imagery for living a life of sin.

b) With the new teaching of Jesus comes light.

c) The light has caused the darkness to pass away.

5. “And the true light is already shining”

a) Jesus is indeed as He said, “I am the light of the world.” (John 8:12)

b) His light is already shining in the life of the genuine believer in the Lord Jesus Christ.