John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

When you come right down to it, you can’t be Jesus’ disciple without love. It’s interesting that Jesus would give this command in this way, because from one angle, love was hardly a new command at all. Jesus Himself had said that the greatest command was to love God, and the second was to love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:29-31 etc.) The qualifier in the new commandment is, “As I have loved you.” That takes a lifetime of study and application! It is very significant that the Roman historians who wrote during the Christian persecutions of the first and second centuries said that Christians had two primary characteristics: they knew how to die, and they knew how to love each other. Jesus’ statement in today’s passage was indeed fulfilled, and it continues to be fulfilled. The thing is, Jesus’ sacrificial love, that goes even beyond love of self, is enormously attractive. It can’t be faked effectively, though some people try. There is no hidden agenda, just a desire for God’s very best for the loved one and a willingness to be God’s instrument in supplying it, what­ever that means. That sort of love can’t be generated, it must be received from God who is its source, but the will is still involved, because we must choose to be conduits of that love. If and when we do that, those around us sit up and take notice, and acknowledge that God is among us.

This church is growing in our obedience to this command, but like every other church, we have a lot of room for that growth. I’ve got to help everyone understand that love is never static or abstract, it isn’t a moment but a movement. We can’t rely on emotions, though emotions will certainly be manifested. We have such trouble thinking of love apart from emotions! Non-Christian spouses of some of our members, as well as some non-Christians who attend services regularly, are indeed impacted and drawn by the love they see here. That love was the biggest factor in the salvation of our newest members, and it will continue to be our strongest drawing card. Some churches rely on programs and activities to draw and keep people, but the Biblical key is the love that Jesus both demonstrated and commanded.

Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, thank You for the love that flows from You. Help me be an ever-growing conduit of that love, rejoicing in it myself as I allow it to flood through me to those around me. May we as a church truly be characterized by that love, loving You more than life itself and loving others into Your family, loving one another so that the Body of Christ may be built up in this place as You desire, for Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!