I John 2:1-11
The apostle John sets a pretty high (impossible) standard here: …whoever says he abides in Him ought to walk in the same way in which He walked. (v. 6) No one will ever achieve to the standard that Jesus set, but He does give us a model for Christian behavior. “Walk the walk and talk the talk.”
Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you had from the beginning. (v. 7) John very possibly had in mind Jesus’ words at the Last Supper: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13:34–35) So there is no “new commandment”. However, John writes in the very next verse, At the same time, it is a new commandment that I am writing to you, which is true in Him and in you… (v. 8a) I’m guessing that John is thinking of all that transpired between the Last Supper and his writing of this letter – the Cross, the Resurrection, the Ascension, Pentecost, and more! I think that John is suggesting what is “true in Him”, that while there is no “new commandment”, there is a new understanding of who Jesus is and what He did. That enduring reality of Jesus’ final six weeks on earth and His sending of the Holy Spirit some ten days later ought to put greater emphasis on His “love one another” command.
Slava Bohu!
I too was struck by v 6, to walk as Jesus walked. Living out obedience to God and loving service to other people.
V. 11 is pretty strong about hating another believer. This is more than just not being friendly or not getting along. In the American church today we are at risk of becoming just as polarized as our political parties. We are called to get past our Christian differences and act with love and concern for one another’s well-being. Only the Holy Spirit can help us act in love when we disagree over denominations, music, who has the “right” beliefs and priorities, etc.