A New Law, A New Love, A New Life
1 John 2:1-2 (NKJV) 1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
1 John 2:7-11 (NKJV) 7 Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. 8 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. 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
The New Law
John tells us that as believers we have a new commandment that is in fact an old commandment. The new commandment is that law which governs our lives. Not in the sense of a regulation from some governmental authority, but more akin to the law of gravity. That which dictates the way we live, walk and be. It is important for us to distinguish the nature of this law so that we don’t confuse the 10 commandments as a means of salvation. Rather we see this old & new law as forces that are outside of our control, yet affect our daily lives. What is that new law you ask? It is love.
The New Love
Rather than acting out our faith in a visible practical manner, rather than our salvation being based in our knowledge of the truth, John states that our salvation will be displayed in our love for others. Love God, Love others. In no way does this upend the 10 commands. Actually it is a good summary of them.
The New Life
So instead of working hard to keep a set of commands that has always been beyond our ability, we drop back into prioritizing love. We stop chasing the law. We start loving God. We love our neighbor, and even our enemy with that very same love of God.
- Pastor Joel Johns
1 John 2:1-2 (NKJV) 1 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 2 And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
1 John 2:7-11 (NKJV) 7 Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. 8 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. 9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
The New Law
John tells us that as believers we have a new commandment that is in fact an old commandment. The new commandment is that law which governs our lives. Not in the sense of a regulation from some governmental authority, but more akin to the law of gravity. That which dictates the way we live, walk and be. It is important for us to distinguish the nature of this law so that we don’t confuse the 10 commandments as a means of salvation. Rather we see this old & new law as forces that are outside of our control, yet affect our daily lives. What is that new law you ask? It is love.
The New Love
Rather than acting out our faith in a visible practical manner, rather than our salvation being based in our knowledge of the truth, John states that our salvation will be displayed in our love for others. Love God, Love others. In no way does this upend the 10 commands. Actually it is a good summary of them.
The New Life
So instead of working hard to keep a set of commands that has always been beyond our ability, we drop back into prioritizing love. We stop chasing the law. We start loving God. We love our neighbor, and even our enemy with that very same love of God.
- Pastor Joel Johns
Posted in Sermon Devotionals
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