Wednesday 11 January 2023
- Bible Book:
- 1 John
Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment, but an old commandment that you have had from the beginning; the old commandment is the word that you have heard. Yet I am writing you a new commandment that is true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. Whoever says, 'I am in the light', while hating a brother or sister, is still in the darkness. Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light, and in such a person there is no cause for stumbling. (vs 7-10)
Background
This lengthy section opening Chapter 2 begins to tease out the increasing distance between those who are within the Christian community, and those who are not; those who continue to choose sinful behaviour versus those who are actively trying to live a better life.
For the community here, ethics is always seen through the lens of love.
This new commandment, parallels the language of John 13:34 "I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another." It encourages the early Christian community to see the boundaries of their experience and belief to be expanding and evolving. Whatever is in the dark – whatever is negative, divisive and harmful – is temporary. The community are being tasked to invest in the things that are of greater worth, and to choose those over the often easier options available.
When folk live in love and harmony together, there is no fear of stumbling. Jesus uses such a phrase to Peter when he denies Jesus’ destiny; and the disciples are berated for getting in the way of children. The community, no matter their leadership challenges, challenging behaviour, or contradictory convictions on early matters of doctrine are tasked with staying in the light (God's love). By staying in the light, they will not get in the way of anyone else’s route to salvation and holiness. The readers of the letter are encouraged to focus on the light and not get in the way of anyone else’s path to the light.
There is danger in too quickly labelling those with whom we disagree as being ‘in darkness’. John Wesley dealt with this in his sermon ‘The Catholic Spirit.’ He urged steadfastness in what one "believes to be the truth as it is in Jesus" (not having a muddy understanding). Settled in one’s own theological convictions, and active in a local congregation, the person of the Catholic spirit yet has a heart "enlarged towards all who love Jesus, love others, and seek always to please God.’’
To Ponder:
- Think of an experience you’ve had when someone has been in the way of your faith development. What enabled you to stay the course?
- If you could write a new commandment for the Church, what would it be?
- John Wesley talks about being “settled in one’s own theological convictions”. Is faith ever settled? What might Wesley have been encouraging the early Methodists to do?
Prayer
God of certainty and searching, help us to know when we are an obstacle to someone else’s exploration of their faith. May we forgive those who have been in our way too. May we live out your ethic of light and love. Illuminate our paths today, so that our footprints may shine the way for another’s salvation. Amen.