The essence of love is often diluted by its overuse in everyday language. Through his letters, the Apostle John beckons us back to its profound, divine roots. His exploration of love in 1 John 2:7-17 is not just a scholarly exposition but a vivid call to embody this love in the fabric of our daily lives. This journey is illuminated by the contrast between light and darkness, a metaphor that resonates deeply within the Christian narrative.
“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.”
(1 John 2:7–8)
John’s message is paradoxical: the commandment to love is ancient and refreshingly new. In Jesus, the commandment to love one another finds a deeper, more profound expression. His life, death, and resurrection infuse this command with vitality and depth previously unseen, challenging us to love not as the world loves but as Jesus loves—sacrificially, unconditionally, and actively.
“Whoever says he is in the light and hates his brother is still in darkness. Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.”
(1 John 2:9–10, ESV)
John elucidates that walking in the light of Christ is synonymous with loving our brothers and sisters. This isn’t a superficial love but a profound commitment to the well-being of others, mirroring God’s love for us. It’s a love that refuses to coexist with hatred or indifference, defining our path as followers of Christ.
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.”
(1 John 2:15–16)
John’s admonition to not love the world is a stark reminder of the transience of worldly desires. This is not a call to reject the world in its entirety but to resist a system of values at odds with the kingdom of God. The allure of the world—its ambitions, pleasures, and definitions of success—often directly opposes the path of love that Jesus exemplifies.
“And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.”
(1 John 2:17)
Here lies the crux of John’s message: the world and its desires are fleeting, but God’s love endures. This eternal perspective reshapes our priorities and values, aligning them with God’s will rather than the ephemeral attractions of the world. It’s a call to live not for the moment but for eternity, finding our most profound joy and fulfillment in the love of God.
John’s epistle does not merely describe divine love; it calls us to live it out. This love is actionable, evidenced in how we treat one another, our willingness to forgive, our pursuit of justice and righteousness, and our commitment to embody Christ’s love in every aspect of our lives.
As we reflect on John’s teachings, we’re invited to assess the authenticity of our love. Are we walking in the light of Christ, or are we stumbling in the darkness of worldliness and indifference? Embracing this divine love is not an easy journey, but it transforms us, guiding us toward a life of authenticity, purpose, and profound joy.
Let us, then, take up this ancient yet ever-new commandment to love as Jesus loved. In doing so, we step into the light, becoming beacons of hope and love in a world desperately needing it.
~PW 🌮🛶
“Gotta take a little time
I Want to Know What Love Is ~ Mick Jones
Little time to look around me
I’ve got nowhere left to hide
Looks like love has finally found me
In my life, there’s been heartache and pain
I don’t know if I can face it again
Can’t stop now, I’ve traveled so far
To change this lonely life“
Phillip W. Martin 
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