A New Heart

Brethren, I write no new commandment to you, but an old commandment which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard from the beginning. Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and the true light is already shining. He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes. (1 John 2:7-11)  

The Christian life is the progressive life, and we are to grow from faith to even greater faith. In other words, God intends that we never stop growing spiritually as long as we are on this earth -- and that is a good thing. John is not contradicting himself as he writes of the “old” and “new” commandments being both the same and different. God’s commandment has always been to love our neighbor as ourselves, yet before the baptism of the Holy Spirit, we had little chance of successfully obeying that command. John is telling us that the new commandment is the same as the old, only made more real and accessible to us in Jesus Christ, and through the power given us by the in-dwelling Spirit. So, while the commandment is not new, we are new creatures able to approach the original standard with the vigor of Spirit-filled, born-again believers! 

Love is the litmus test for any authentic relationship with Jesus Christ, and where there is hatred, the Holy Spirit does not and will not abide. No spiritual work can be done in an atmosphere of darkness and sin, and there is no circumstance under which hatred and contempt for fellow believers is acceptable, because the Lord has given us His Holy Spirit and we cannot hate others any longer. Therefore, He holds us accountable for walking in the light of His countenance -- in forgiveness, in freedom, in purity, in peace with one another, and in love.

Let's Pray - Father, let us make every effort to be found in true fellowship with every believer. Thank You for Your unrelenting standard of love and Christ-likeness. Amen.