Deeper Reflection
THE 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).

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⁴⁷ All believers, whether older or younger, need assurance and encouragement in the Lord (vv.12-14).