The Letter to John’s Children

John wrote this letter to his brothers in Christ by calling them
“children (2:1, 2:12, 2:28, 3:7 ,3:18, 4:4, 5:21)” and “young men
(2:14, 2:18)”. John wrote about several topics but especially about
“the commandments”. So by knowing the fact that he used this word
repeteadly in this letter, we may consider the word “commandment” as
the keyword to understand 1 John. Than what did John wrote about the
commandments? What was the commandments that he gave to his
“children”?

To Know God by Keeping His Commandments

John used the word “commandments” 10 times in this letter. In the
passage in chapter 2 where he used the word “commandments” for the
first time, it is clear that the commandments were given from God. And
by keeping the commandments we know Him. Because the commandments are
what represent God Himself. So by keeping God’s commandments we know
the truth. But if one say that we know Him and not keep his
commandments, he is a false witness. And what he is doing is like
saying that you are walking in the light when you actually are walking
in darkness.

Why Do We Keep God’s Commandments?

The reason why we keep God’s commandments is the love of God. Because
loving God also means to keep His commandments. So the commandment
that was given to us from God is to love Him and God Himself became
the example for us how to love God. And for that reason God first
loved us and commanded us to love Him as well.

What is God’s love?

The love of God was ultimately revealed through the Son of God, Jesus
Christ. Because God sent His only begotten son for the redemption of
our sins. And our sins were forgiven completely by the death and
resurrection of Christ on the cross. And the everlasting life were
given to us. So God the Father showed His perfect love to us through
His son Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to love God?

To love God is also means to love His people as He loved us. So that
is why John commanded his brothers repeatedly in this letter to love
each other. And one of the causes that John wrote this letter to them
was also his love to them. For he loved his brothers in Christ, he
wrote this letter to write about the new commandment which is to love
each other as God loves them.