“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 shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”- John 13;34-35
It’s easy to talk about learning to love, but quite another thing to do it. That’s especially true when you think about loving others “as” Christ loved you. Yet, not only are we commanded to do so, we must do so if we are to live in peace, and if we are to convince others that we are indeed Christians.
To succeed at this we must ask, “How did Jesus love His disciples?”. While there are things about his love beyond our comprehension some things are obvious. John 13:1 tells us that “he loved them unto the end”. That proves that His love was unconditional. To love them “unto the end” means that he was patient with their faults and forgiving of their failures. His love was not based upon their conduct, but upon His character.
When the Bible tells of the disciples it paints their pictures “warts and all”. Their folly, faults, and failures are put on display for our consideration – not to berate them, but to beautify the Lord’s love for them. We cannot read of His interactions with them without being impressed with His patience, mercy, and gentleness. A lesser than he would have scolded them, shamed them, and separated from them. But he loved them unto the end. Their faults were many but His love was even greater.
We need to have to have these words “as I have loved you” written indelibly on the door of our hearts, reminding us that this is the pattern by which we are to love others. Even when the failure of others is undeniable and disappointing love should compel us to “restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness” ( Gal. 6:1). How can we deny love to anyone to whom Christ demonstrated love?- HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
