Again, I write a new commandment to you, which is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shines.

 It so happened that there was a factor in the situation of John's people which made the circumstances even more perilous. It is clear that, although they might be unpopular, they were not undergoing persecution. They were, therefore, under the great and dangerous temptation to compromise with the world. It is always difficult to be different, and it was specially difficult for them. 