A New Commandment

Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This
old commandment to love one another is the same message you heard before. Yet it is also new. Jesus lived the truth of this
commandment, and you also are living it. For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining.

If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is still living in
darkness. Anyone who loves another brother or sister is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. But anyone
who hates another brother or sister is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go,
having been blinded by the darkness.

I am writing to you who are God’s children
because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.

I am writing to you who are mature in the faith
because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.

I am writing to you who are young in the faith
because you have won your battle with the evil one.

I have written to you who are God’s children
because you know the Father.

I have written to you who are mature in the faith
because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.

I have written to you who are young in the faith
because you are strong.

God’s word lives in your hearts,
and you have won your battle with the evil one.