Elin said:
. . .from the beginning (of their Christian experience, when they first heard the gospel).
1 John 2:8
(8) Yet I am writing you a new command (Jn 13:34-35); its truth is seen in him* and you**
because the darkness (present evil age) is passing and the true light (gospel of Jesus Christ) is already shining.
*newness in the new and dramatic illustration of divine love on the cross
and Christ's exposition of the law (Mt 5), which seemed new to them
**the daily experience of believers as they grow in love for each other
The new command was to Love one another as I have loved you, not as they loved themselves, as in the old command.
Christ upped the standard in his new command.
It was nothing new it was an old commandment spoken in a new way. Do you think in the old they were not to love each other?
Deuteronomy 6:5 KJV
(5) And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.
Leviticus 19:18 KJV
(18) Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt
love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.
This is what Jesus said.
Matthew 22:37-40 KJV
(37) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
(38) This is the first and great commandment.
(39) And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
(40) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.