Deeper ReflectionTHE APOSTLE JOHN EMPHASISES THE LORD’S COMMAND
for Christians to
love one another; it is an old commandment renewed
and highlighted with intensity (vv.7-11). This is because Jesus Christ has
already come to bring light into the world and those who believe in Him
must walk in His light and love (vv.8, 10). Otherwise, they show their
spiritual blindness and lack of understanding of the truth regarding their
new identity as children of God (vv.9-11). Those who walk in darkness
are, notwithstanding their professions of faith in Christ, people who are
ignorant of the truth and live in ways that are incongruent with true belief
in the Lord. If we are brothers and sisters in the Lord, then there must be
mutual love, respect and honour among us and between the generations.
47Christians are to
love God. They
must not love the world or the things of the world (v.15a). It is so easy for believers who stray from the
Lord to be enticed, enamoured and entangled by the things of the world.
No one can love the world and at the same time love God (v.15b). The
“desires of the flesh” are sensual. The “desires of the eyes” are covetous.
“Pride in possessions” is the boastful arrogance arising from material
wealth and security. The desires for the things of the world are not from
the Father (v.16). They are temporal and are passing away together with
the world itself (v.17a). Contrasted with the temporal are people who
love
God, desire the things of God and do His will; they will not pass
away but remain forever (v.17b).
47 All believers, whether older or younger, need assurance and encouragement in the Lord (vv.12-14).
