John 13:34-35 NIV
34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
34 "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
35 By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
Before Jesus left his disciples, he gave them a new commandment. He told them to love one another for His sake. The commandment to love was not new but the love that Jesus commanded was new. It would be the love of Christ's heart. They were to learn by His example; He loved each one of them and they were to show their love so that others would see the love of Jesus inside of them. If they did this in unity, it would help to spread the Gospel. Even the unbelievers would have to notice the love they had for one another. Do the people in the world notice the difference in us? Do they see the love we have for one another in the church? Sometimes I wonder if they really believe the Word when I hear believers talk about one another or hold unforgiveness for another. We want to be an example to the world. Many people have stopped going to churches because they don't see a difference in us. But when they come to a church and see the love between one another and also the love for them, they want to know more about Jesus. It is so awesome when you come into a church and you see the affections that people have for each other. We are family! I believe that is what Jesus wants to show - the family of God. He wants the world to see how much believers love each other. Our actions towards one another will confirm our relationship with Jesus. You know what is so good? Satan cannot counterfeit love.
Jesus wanted the disciples to fellowship with each other, pray for each other, forgive one another just as He had done for them. In this Scripture, John makes it clear that the love they have is to be shared with the whole world. They needed this love to spread the message of God. As Rev. Brady has said "love in action." When Jesus is speaking about love, He doesn't mean that it is just a feeling but rather acts of love. In I John 2:6, the Scripture says that "whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did." So today we should be walking as Jesus did, and showing love to other believers as well as those in the world. Many believers today try to show that they are believers by wearing buttons or putting bumper stickers on their cars. The best way to show you are a believer is by forgiving one another and just showing love for one another.
Before Jesus left his disciples, he gave them a new commandment. He told them to love one another for His sake. The commandment to love was not new but the love that Jesus commanded was new. It would be the love of Christ's heart. They were to learn by His example; He loved each one of them and they were to show their love so that others would see the love of Jesus inside of them. If they did this in unity, it would help to spread the Gospel. Even the unbelievers would have to notice the love they had for one another. Do the people in the world notice the difference in us? Do they see the love we have for one another in the church? Sometimes I wonder if they really believe the Word when I hear believers talk about one another or hold unforgiveness for another. We want to be an example to the world. Many people have stopped going to churches because they don't see a difference in us. But when they come to a church and see the love between one another and also the love for them, they want to know more about Jesus. It is so awesome when you come into a church and you see the affections that people have for each other. We are family! I believe that is what Jesus wants to show - the family of God. He wants the world to see how much believers love each other. Our actions towards one another will confirm our relationship with Jesus. You know what is so good? Satan cannot counterfeit love.
Jesus wanted the disciples to fellowship with each other, pray for each other, forgive one another just as He had done for them. In this Scripture, John makes it clear that the love they have is to be shared with the whole world. They needed this love to spread the message of God. As Rev. Brady has said "love in action." When Jesus is speaking about love, He doesn't mean that it is just a feeling but rather acts of love. In I John 2:6, the Scripture says that "whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did." So today we should be walking as Jesus did, and showing love to other believers as well as those in the world. Many believers today try to show that they are believers by wearing buttons or putting bumper stickers on their cars. The best way to show you are a believer is by forgiving one another and just showing love for one another.
