Christ Life: Not the Same Old Formula

The Coca-Cola Bottling Company is introducing a new product called Coke Life.

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself" (Leviticus 19:18). That's what God said to Moses and the people of Israel.

As far as formulas go, it's terrific. For thousands of years, it has worked well in a variety of forms in most of the world's religions. Jews believe that "you shall love your neighbor as yourself." Hindus affirm that "one should not behave toward others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself." Buddhists say that you should "hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful." And Muslims believe that "no one of you is a believer until he desires for his brother that which he desires for himself."

There's nothing secret about this formula. Even Jesus endorsed it when he made it a part of his great commandment. "Love the Lord your God," said Jesus, and "love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37, 39).

But surprisingly, in the first of his New Testament letters, the apostle John offers a new recipe: "this is [God's] commandment, that we should believe in...