“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (New International Version, Jhn. 13:34-35)
There are three passages in the Gospel of John that teach what the “marks of a true disciple” are. Last week we covered the first, which was disciples hold to Jesus’s teaching (John 8:31-32). This week will cover the second, which is that disciples MUST love one another. We see this in John 13:34-35.
Notice that Jesus told them this is a “new command.” However, we understand the concept of love was taught in the Old Testament as well (Lev. 19:18). Therefore, Jesus is calling His disciples to love one another at a new level, indeed a “new kind of love!” The qualities that distinguish this new love – are its object, measure, and purpose. Let’s dig a little deeper into each of these qualities!
- The Object of This New Love: In Leviticus 19:18, God commanded the Israelites to “love your neighbor as yourself.” However, Jesus says to “love one another,” referring to the disciples! Yes, every disciple must love their neighbor; however, we need to understand that love between a Christian and a non-Christian is limited as they have a different calling, purpose, and master. Therefore it is essential we have deep relationships in the church. How are your relationships in the church? Are you closer to those not yet disciples? Let’s make a decision, to love one another so we can fulfill Jesus’s command.
- The Measure of New Love: The second quality of this love is its measure. Jesus tells us to “love one another as I have loved you.” It would have been clear for the original apostles who heard this message to understand what this love would have looked like, as this was right after Jesus washed their feet! For three years, they saw Jesus lay His life down for them, and ultimately witnessed Jesus sacrifice Himself on the cross for them and all humanity. The measure of love cannot be what we think love is and what our human nature or family taught us. We must measure our love compared to Jesus’s love for us. Jesus mentions in John 15:13 the ultimate level of love we can show; to lay down our lives for someone! Jesus demonstrated this ultimate love for us to give us the example to follow: We must be willing to die for each other as disciples!
- The Purpose of This New Love: Lastly, Jesus clarifies the purpose of this love when he says “by this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” When we love one another, more people are going to be saved. Non-Christians should be able to look at the love we have in this church, be convinced of Christ, and have a desire to become true disciples. There is nothing more powerful and indescribable than having this type of love at work in our ministries!
What are some ways we can practically love as Christ did? First of all, we should constantly be encouraging one another! Daily encouragement from other disciples keeps us faith filled and can prevent us from sinning (Heb. 3:13). Secondly, we must develop deep relationships with each other! Have 3-5 close relationships with other disciples. When the tests of life come, you can run to these brothers and sisters, knowing they will fight for you! And lastly, we should serve each other! Christ came to serve us (Mt. 20:28). Therefore, if we want to imitate the love He had for us, we should imitate His serving heart!
The Lord has been moving powerfully in the Denver International Christian church. Let us continually “love one another” and thus win the world for Christ!
Here in Ephesians 4, Paul is teaching the Christians in Ephesus the importance of becoming spiritually mature in Christ. Sadly today, maturity is seldomly viewed as something that is only obtained with longevity in one’s walk with Christ. Unlike the human body, maturity in the body of Christ does not happen by just going through the motions: It is given only through obedience to God and observance of His scriptures. In the Bible, God outlines how we can begin maturing as early as day one of being a Christian (Acts. 9.20)! In this article we are going to examine three ways in which we can do so.
To God be all the glory,
Jason T. Woody
Evangelist
