LEARNING DAILY

John 13: 34-35, A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

“Can’t we all just get along?” From what I could find, this quote was first said by Rodney King during the 1992 riots occurring in Los Angelos. It seems that question is still valid today. The answer or the ability to do that lies in what Jesus told His disciples in the Upper Room.

His statement was not a new revelation. He had been asked by a lawyer (Matthew 22:34- 40), “Which is the greatest commandment in the law?” Jesus knew this was trick to test Him and told him the first commandment was to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind. The second was to love your neighbor as yourself. When talking with the disciples in the Upper Room, Jesus spoke of a “new” commandment; He was highlighting the importance of loving one another.

This reminder was coming after washing the feet of the disciples in an act of humbling Himself to show the disciples they too could humble themselves to serve others as He did. He did this as an act of love for them and his love is to be the standard for those who follow Him. For His disciples (and all Believers) love was to be the outward expression or sign of their Christian faith. Jesus was especially concerned with His love being shown between His followers.

All Believers today need to have sound biblical doctrine (take a moment to find 1 Timothy 6:3-5) and must be living moral lives (find Colossians 3:1-10 and read it). But the standard set and established by the Lord Jesus Christ is to love one another! “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” What does this mean? How do we live this?

Let’s get personal today. Do you have a sincere love for fellow Believers? John emphasized this again in one of his letters. 1 John 4:21 states, “And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also”. This seems clear. But just to emphasize the command – love is essential to the Christian faith! In giving this command Jesus was creating a group (His followers) that would be identified by their love. It is obvious that in the world there are groups identified by something – uniforms, skin color, political affiliation, tattoos, interests, and on and on. But the True Church, True Believers, the True Followers of Jesus Christ, walking on a narrow way is identified by their love. Skin color does not matter. The uniform or crazy hat worn does not matter! The only thing that matters is the love they show toward one another.

Read about the early church in Acts 2:40-47. It was made up of people from all over who came together and met each other’s needs. They lived the love of Jesus. Jesus loved unconditionally (not to get something in return). Jesus loved sacrificially; He gave His life so that those who believe in Him would be saved from the slavery of sin and be changed by Him. His love forgave and was pure. Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 to see how we are to love as Jesus loved. Even the enemies of Jesus received His love; we can benefit by that!

This type of love may not be natural for those who walk in the flesh and walk as the world thinks. No, this love Jesus talks about comes from a relationship with Him. It comes from spending time with Him in His Word and through time with Him in prayer. To love like this takes a change in one’s heart! It is knowing that Jesus loves you that enables you to love others – especially other Believers – as He has commanded. The Holy Spirit will give evidence that you are a disciple of Christ and the light of Christ shines in you.