Ancient and New at the Same Time; First John

May the mumbling commence!

It is an oldie but a goodie.  It is new and improved.  It requires a second and third and fourth and… looks.  That is the Word of God.  That is why we read it over and over again. 

Each time we come to the Word from a different place in our lives.  Each time the Word has a little something new to offer us.  That is why the author of First John talks about a new and an old command – one command both old and new in the light of Christ.  Read from chapter two (RSV):

Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word which you have heard.  Yet I am writing you a new commandment, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 

He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in the darkness still.  He who loves his brother abides in the light, and in it there is no cause for stumbling.  But he who hates his brother is in the darkness and walks in the darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. (Verses 7-11)

We have from First John an old commandment – from the very beginning.  Nope, nothing is new here.

But this ancient commandment is new because through the work of Christ it is true in him and in us.  All darkness is passing away and true light is shining.

So, what is this ancient and new commandment?  The writer of First John shows the commandment with the juxtaposition of hate and love.  The commandment is to leave hate behind and to shine forth with love. 

Love your brother and sister.  Who are my brothers and sisters?  Refer to the parable of the Good Samaritan that Jesus asked to answer a similar question.  The better question is how to be a good brother or sister to anyone who may cross our path.

Hate means stubbed toes in the darkness… and bruised foreheads… and sharps pains in the feet as we step on Lego’s. (Yes, I am the father of a four-and-a-half-year-old.  I know this painful truth all too well.)  Hate means words spoken of destruction and rancor.

Come to Christ Jesus.  Uncover the light of Christ in your life.  And go forth with confidence to love at all costs.  That is how God lavishes love on us.

God loves you.  Who are you not to love yourself?  And love God in return.  And love everyone with the love you show for yourself and that God shows for you.  Hold nothing back.  Love.  And watch love blossom with words of encouragement and upbuilding and life.

The ancient and new commandment is that simple.  It is that hard.  It makes us that vulnerable.

Yes, we can bear to hear that command over and over again.  It will take a lifetime and more to have it fully sink in.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out