Brethren, I do not write a new commandment to you but the old commandment, which we had from [the] beginning. The old commandment is the word which you heard. Again, a new commandment I write to you, which is true in Him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light already shines (1 John 2:7-8).
Later in the Apostle John’s life, he wrote three books to the Church that are imperative for Christian practice. Here in 1 John chapter two, he writes about the new commandment that we, who belong to the Church, have. He is not adding commandments to Christ’s words; thus, this is not a new commandment but the one we received from the beginning in the upper room with Christ (John 13:34).
This new commandment demonstrates that the darkness is passing away, for the true light is already shining. In the upper room with the eleven disciples, Jesus tells them that they will do greater works than he did (John 14:12). Jesus is not referring to signs, wonders, and miracles. He is referring to manifesting a quality of the life of God. When Jesus said this, the only one on earth who could manifest true life was Jesus. However, with the new relationship coming as a direct result of His resurrection, all who are in the Church now have all things pertaining to life and godliness, for they have Christ dwelling in them. This indwelling provides direct access to God’s quality of life, which can then be displayed to the world when the grace believer is filled up where they lack by the Holy Spirit, Who then produces fruit in their lives.