A Commandment Both Old and New

I.  Commanding from a position of integrity.  (1 John 2:7a)

     John is here going to emphasize the commandment to love the brethren, and gives indication that he is himself living out this commandment as he addresses those to whom he writes with the word, beloved.

II.  Commanding that which is old, for it is from the beginning.  (1 John 2:7b)

     The commandment is old, not because it is from the beginning of time, which it is, but because these people had been taught this commandment from the very beginning of their Christian lives.

III.  Commanding that which is new, for it is from Christ Himself.  (1 John 2:8)

     The commandment is new in Christ, because He is the great revelation of God, and through His humility in the incarnation, His perfect obedience to the law of God, and His willing sacrifice for sin He manifests the love of God in a manner not known, and in many ways not knowable, until it was revealed in Him.