A New Commandment: Loving One Another as Christ Loved Us

Valentine's Day is approaching, and it has me thinking about love. Not just romantic love, but the deeper, more challenging love we're called to as believers. Last Sunday, we witnessed love in action as we celebrated Sean and Jennifer's 34 years of marriage. Their commitment reminds us of an important truth: love isn't something we fall into or out of—it's a choice we make every day.

Love Is Not a Suggestion, But a Command

In John 13:34-35, Jesus gives us one of His most powerful directives: "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."

Notice Jesus doesn't present this as a suggestion or a "when you feel like it" option. This is a command—one of the few direct commands Jesus gives in the New Testament. When you enlisted in God's army, you were issued a uniform of love. You don't get to decide whether to wear it based on how it looks or feels. It's part of your identity in Christ.

Love isn't based on emotion or convenience—it's an act of obedience. Jesus doesn't include exceptions for "unlovable" people or difficult personalities. He simply says, "Love one another."

The Scope of Our Love: The Family of God

When Jesus says "one another," He's specifically addressing believers. While we're called to love all people, this particular command focuses on how we treat fellow Christians. And let's be honest—sometimes loving those in the church can be the most challenging task of all.

It's easy to love people who love you back. But what about those who scrutinize, criticize, or tear down instead of building up? What about those whose personalities clash with yours or whose approaches to ministry differ from your own?

The church is family, not a restaurant where you can leave if the service is bad. At the family table, you have to work things out. You have to allow tension to dissipate and differences to be resolved. We must choose to love our church family despite our differences.

The Standard of Our Love: "As I Have Loved You"

Jesus raises the bar impossibly high when He says, "As I have loved you." How did Jesus love us? While we were still sinners, while we were lost, while we were cursing His name—He loved us.

His love is:

• Sacrificial—He gave His life for us
• Patient—He bears with our weaknesses
• Forgiving—He doesn't hold our sins against us
• Unconditional—He doesn't love us because of what we do

Have you ever wondered why God loves you? He loves you even when you don't read His love letter to you, even when you question His authority, even when you disobey. Our love for one another shouldn't be dependent on actions but on our relationship as family.

The Witness of Our Love: "By This All Will Know"

Jesus reveals something profound about our love—it's our primary witness to the world. "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Not by our buildings. Not by our programs. Not by our arguments or theological positions. But by our love.

The lost are watching us. They're observing how we respond to one another, how we care for each other, how we encourage one another. Our love is evidence of Christ within us. Just as a fruit tree naturally produces fruit after a period of growth, we should naturally produce the fruit of love as we grow in Christ.

What kind of love marks your life? Is it a love of convenience—cheap and easy? Or is it the kind of love that costs you everything, as Christ's love cost Him everything?

True Christ-like love is generous even when it's not deserved, even when it's not expected, and most of all, even when it's not self-beneficial. It's easy to love those who love you, but what about those who don't?

A Heart Check

Is there someone in the family of God right now that you haven't forgiven? Is there bitterness in your heart toward a brother or sister in Christ? Do you need to apologize and say, "I love you"?

If there's a rift between you and another believer, I encourage you to put it aside. Pay whatever it costs through the love of Jesus Christ so that you can find forgiveness and restoration.

Remember, this isn't optional. Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us. And the only way we can fulfill this command is through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which comes when we trust in Christ as our Savior.

Let's be known not by our arguments or our differences, but by our love.

Want to reflect more deeply on this message? Watch the full sermon on our YouTube channel or join a small group to discuss how we can better love one another as Christ has loved us. Let's demonstrate to our community what it truly means to be disciples of Jesus Christ.

Meta Description: Discover what Jesus meant when He commanded us to "love one another as I have loved you" and why this love is the primary witness of our faith to the world.

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