…we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous…Beloved, I am writing you no new commandment…At the same time, it is a new commandment…
1 John 2:1-14
In the ancient world, the advocate was like a modern defense attorney who pleads a defendant’s case before a judge. When John calls Jesus “our Advocate,” he means that our Savior stands before the Father to plead our case. John speaks of a commandment that is both old and new, a commandment in which we must walk if we truly belong to Jesus (vv. 7–8). This commandment is the command to love our brothers and sisters in the Lord (vv. 9–11). In verses 7-8, we read the commandment to love our fellow Christians. One of the ways we can be assured we are in the light — that we know Christ — is we do not hate our brothers. If we do not love our fellow believers, we remain in the darkness of sin (vv. 9–11). It is old in the sense that the people of God were commanded to love and forgive their brothers and sisters from their hearts long before (see Leviticus 19:17–18; John 13:34). It is new “in Him,” Jesus, meaning that the command to love others finds its fullest expression, definition, and example in the life and ministry of Jesus. As we are obedient to the Holy Spirit, we will live out Jesus’ example by performing new acts of love toward others. Jesus Himself is the fullest expression of love since God is love, and Jesus is God. Jesus is the greatest example of love in that He laid down His life for the sake of His brothers. Abiding in Jesus means walking in the way He walked (verse 6). This means the command to love the brethren must be true in us as it is in Christ. Let us then love our fellow Christians. Even now, Jesus is pleading with the Father in our behalf, interceding for us that we might be forgiven, purified, and strengthened for holiness. To be sure, we work out our salvation in fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12–13), but we can do so because the Savior prays for us to guarantee our perseverance. Let us rejoice that Jesus continues to advocate for us, and let us always draw near to the Throne of Grace when we are in need. When we are honest with ourselves, some Christians are easier to love than others. We all find certain people less offensive than others, and as a result, we will gravitate toward those we consider lovable. But Christ does not call us to love only those easy to love. After all, He Himself died for sinners. If we walk in the Light we must love all of our fellow believers. Think of someone in your church whom you find difficult to love and seek to have fellowship with him today.
Source: S C Ball October 6, 2023
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