Reading for July 30th

Raed 1 John 2.3-17. In 2.3-27: Walking inthe light: love and obedience. A second group of three assertions is introduced by whoever sasys (2.4, 6, 9). In verses 3-4: knowledge is tested by keeping the commandments. In verses 5-6: The one in whom the love of God reaches perfection truly exists (see 4.12, 17). Abiding is tested by conforming to the example of Jesus. Jesus' example conforms to his commandments. Inverses 7-8: The love command (3.2, 21; 4.17) is paradoxical since an old command becomes a new commandment (see Jn 13.34; 2 Jn 5). In verses 9-11: I am the light: the evidence of being in the darkness is hating the brother (or sister); of being in the light is loving the other. In verses 12-14: reasons for writing. Three groups are addressed twice, as litle children, fathers, and young people, probbaly dgrees of spiritual maturity. whatis written to little children (v. 12) differs from what is written to children (v. 14). What is said of fathers is repeated exactly in the second address. An adddition comment is made in the second address to young people. In verse 13: Him who is from the beginning, Jesus (contrast 1.1). Conquered: overcome in 2.14 ( see 4.4; 5.4, 5;Jn 16.33). In verse 14: Children, parallel structure suggests the same group as little children in 2.12. Children and father form a natural pair, In verses 15-17: True and false loves. The world, the flesh, and the devil oppose God (4.4-6; 5.4-5, 19). God's love transform the world; those who love the world are possessed by it. Desire is controlled or determined by its object. Comments or Questions..