Love One Another
Jesus gave a new command to His disciples toward the end of His life. He said to them…
“A new commandment I give you to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this, all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.”
John 13:34-35 ESV
John later wrote to Christians reminding them of this command. He said—
“And now I ask you … that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments: this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning so that you should walk in it.”
2 John 1:5-6 ESV
John taught that it was an act of love when Christians obeyed Jesus by loving one another.
This was important because it would show the world that they were His disciples. Christ-followers who loved one another despite their differences in race, country, background, and experience showed how much the saving grace and love of Jesus could change people and save people.
This is still a command for us.
The love we have for one another is vital to what others see when they look at Jesus' followers. If people who don’t believe in Jesus see Christians loving each other in the midst of difficult or violent times, it will be a picture of the love God has for all of us.
It’s while we were still sinners that Christ died for us. He loved us enough to die for us. This is the kind of love we are to have for one another.
Today, think of ways you can show Jesus' love to other believers. By doing so, you will obey your Lord Jesus and you will be walking in His ways.
Proverbs 16
English Standard Version
16 The plans of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the spirit.[a]
3 Commit your work to the Lord,
and your plans will be established.
4 The Lord has made everything for its purpose,
even the wicked for the day of trouble.
5 Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord;
be assured, he will not go unpunished.
6 By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil.
7 When a man's ways please the Lord,
he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.
8 Better is a little with righteousness
than great revenues with injustice.
9 The heart of man plans his way,
but the Lord establishes his steps.
10 An oracle is on the lips of a king;
his mouth does not sin in judgment.
11 A just balance and scales are the Lord's;
all the weights in the bag are his work.
12 It is an abomination to kings to do ...