Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness.

 1 John 2

Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word that you have heard. At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. 1 John 2:7-9

This morning, I continue my study of 1,2,3 John using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for these books.  My study today focuses on a commentary-assisted review of 1 John 2:3-11. 

Per the commentary for this text: 

Main idea: "True followers of Jesus will have assurance in their salvation because they know, love, and obey Him."

Excerpt from introduction: 

• In this letter, John lays out a "threefold" test for believers to assess if we truly know Christ; (a) a theological test to determine if we "believe the right things about Christ", (b) a moral test to determine if we obey Christ, and (c) a ethical test to determine if we love others.  The text highlighted this morning examines the moral test in vv3-6 and the ethical test in vv7-11.
  

Divisions:

1. Obey Christ’s Commands and Enjoy the Assurance of Salvation (2:3-6): The commentary refers us to both Chuck Colson from his book Loving God, who writes that "the essence of the Christian life is obedience."  Dietrich Bonheoffer is similarly quoted (by Colson) that "only he who believes is obedient; only he who is obedient believes."  Knowing (via intimate understanding of the gospel/God's Word) and loving God are "wed" together in the text as these words are used more than 40 times each in 1 John. "Both lead to obedience." Guarding God's commands in our heart as a treasure serve to provide assurance of our salvation. "Because I know Him in all of His beauty, glory, and majesty, I delight in obeying Him. To obey Christ is not a burden. It is a blessing. It is my natural response to what He has done for me....In keeping and obeying His Word, my love for Jesus grows, matures, and is brought to its intended goal. And here is the beauty of the whole thing: the more I know Him the more I love Him, and the more I love Him the more I know Him....To truly abide in Christ means I will live (walk) like Christ." We are referred to John 15:4-5, 1 Corinthians 11:1, Ephesians 5:1, 1 Peter 2:21. "Like Father, like Son. Like Savior, like saint. Christ’s life becomes my life, my example, my goal, and my pattern." 
   
2. Love One Another and Walk in the Light of Salvation (2:7-11): "[T]he letters of John assume a knowledge of the Gospel of John," as the text today refers to John 13:34-35 as Jesus gives us a new command to love one another as He loves us. The commentary also refers us to Leviticus 19:18 where Moses also spoke of loving one another.  This supports John's claim that this is not a new commandment but one of old. As we experience and know God, and grow in our love of God, there is an evolving (new) "experience, emphasis, expression, and endurance" in our love of God and others.  We are reminded of a previous life in sin where we walked in darkness, blind to the love and light of Jesus.    
   

 As the commentary concludes, we are referred to the hymn Trust and Obey.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who loved me before I loved You.  You loved me while I was still hostile to You - as a slave to sin.  Yet You saved me nonetheless and continue to richly pour out blessings on me daily...I am undeserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.