A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another
as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this all men will know
that you are my disciples, if you love one another. - John 13:34–35
In this passage, JESUS was parting instructions to His
followers. It was the essence of what He came to teach. It is similar to the
second part of the greatest commandment—that we love our neighbor as ourselves.
GOD is love, and His disciples are to be so known for their love for one
another, that this has been called the badge of Christians.
People living outside the church see that love and they are
drawn to JESUS. They want to get in on it. When we love, we let our light so
shine before men that they see our good works and glorify our Father who is in
heaven (Matthew 5:18).
Do you want to know how we are to love one another?
Like
Jesus loves us.
Paul wrote, “Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and
gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to GOD” (Ephesians
5:2). And in Colossians 3:12–14, he wrote, “Therefore, as GOD’s chosen people,
holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility,
gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances
you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all
these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
There can be no greater love. I think the phrase “bear with one another” is
important. When someone hurts us or offends, we are not to try to get even. We
are to bear it in love. That’s what Christ would do.
And we are to forgive, as
Christ has forgiven us.
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