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.”
John 13:34-35
When Jesus was questioned by a Pharisee, He responded by issuing a standard that each Christ follower should strive to live by. This conversation is recorded in Matthew 22:36-40. Jesus was asked, “‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” This has basically been summed up as, “Love God and Love People.”
These two greatest commandments issued by Jesus Himself seem simple, but can be so hard to actually live out. Loving God with all we have and all we are comes easier for most of us, because God is perfect. Being perfect, it seems completely right to extend our love towards God. Now people on the other hand… Imperfect, fallen people can be very difficult to like, much less love as ourselves. Jesus didn’t say love the people who think like you. Jesus didn’t say love the people who look like you. Jesus didn’t say love the people who vote like you. Jesus didn’t say love the people who worship like you. Jesus didn’t say love the people who have families that look like yours. Jesus didn’t say love the nice people. Jesus didn’t say love the people of your same culture. Jesus didn’t even say to only love the people who believe as you do.
Jesus said to love God with your everything and to love people as you love yourself. Somewhere along the way, many people have forgotten that we can be very different and yet still love one another. Many people have forgotten that we can disagree and still love one another. Many people have forgotten that standing up for what you believe in doesn’t mean you hate others who don’t do or believe as you do. Love one another. No matter what. Jesus states this commandment in the book of John a little differently. “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.” John 13:34-35.
So next time you are about to respond to someone (or their posts), remember the words of Jesus. We show the world, other believers and our families that we follow Jesus, by how we love one another. May we, as the bride of Christ, be found showing the world what we believe by how we love one another in word and in deed.
Resources
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