Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth. I John 2:7-8
The “old commandment” here, is of course the Great Commandment found in Deuteronomy 6:5, and was later quoted by Jesus in Matthew 22:37-39. We are commanded to “love the Lord, thy God, will all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy might”.
We are not being given a brand-new commandment, but rather a new expansion of the old. Christ perfectly fulfilled the old commandment, something that was impossible for us to do in the strength of our flesh. God knew this and that is why the law is described in Galatians as a “schoolmaster” to bring us to grace. Isn’t it interesting that the first fruit of the Spirit is love? Our love for God is a response to the grace and love of God.
Jesus completely fulfilled this law in His life and work. John saw this demonstration of divine love and realized that via fellowship with Christ, we now have the ability to fulfill this commandment to a degree that is acceptable to God.
This commandment was not new in its substance, but in the expectation and manner of its fulfillment. The bottom line is that love of the brethren is not optional for Christians, it is both feasible and expected.
We demonstrate our love for God in our love for the brethren. How much of God’s love is seen in your life?
Heavenly Heartburn 
this a great post Gordon, 🙂
I was just reading about this, this morning, if we don’t show love toward one for another, how can we say that we love God,
As many blessings as GOD has blessed me with I would say not enough but that is why I keep on keeping on to do the best I can. GOD gave us the necessary ingredients if we would just take them out of the closet and clean the rust off ? Have a blessed rest of the week ! RON.
“Jesus completely fulfilled this law in His life and work.”
Well Said!
Gordon,
This is one of the great needs in our churches. It sure would cure alot of problems.
Daddy
so much of scripture can be better understood within the context of “the brethern” and I include sisters in that description…:) It really ALL about relating to God, to fellow believers,…then to the world at large. Given the first two…the third is so much easier to accomplish…not to mention, our brothers and sisters have God Himself inside of them ..so to do anything “to the least of these”…is to do it unto Him. Good post