Just As I Have Loved You

A new commandment I give 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.”

He gave what He called "a new commandment" - Jn 13:34

It was a command to "love one another" - Jn 13:34

He said "by this all will know" who were His disciples - Jn 13:35

Love for one another is how people will know that we are truly the disciples of Jesus...

Do we know what kind of love that is?

How do we develop that kind of love?

How do we demonstrate this love?

[In this study I wish to encourage the kind of love Jesus commands of us, so that "By This All Will Know"that we are truly His disciples! Let's begin with...]

THIS LOVE DEFINED

IT IS A NEW KIND OF LOVE...

There had always been the love of family, friends, etc.The OT taught to "love your neighbor as yourself" - Lev 19:18

Leviticus 19:18 ESV

You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.

But Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another" - Jn 13:34

John 13:34 ESV

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

This is not simply a command to love one another

But a command to love one another in a special way

-- Jesus is calling us to new and higher standard of love!

IT IS A SACRIFICIAL LOVE...

What kind of love does Jesus command?

"as I have love you, that you also love another"

It is a love patterned after Jesus' love for us

-- This is what makes it a new and higher standard of love!

The love Jesus had for us can be summarized in one word: sacrificial

As Jesus explained in Jn 15:13

John 15:13 ESV

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

As John wrote in 1Jn 3:16-18

1 John 3:16–18 ESV

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

As Paul commanded in Ep 5:1-2

Ephesians 5:1–2 ESV

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

It was this kind of love manifested by the first disciples of Jesus

The church in Jerusalem - Ac 2:44-45

Acts 2:44–45 ESV

And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.

The churches in Macedonia - 2 Co 8:1-5

IT IS A VISIBLE LOVE...

By such love Jesus declared "all will know that you are My disciples" - Jn 13:35

The implication is that such love will be visible and observable

And visible by ALL, not just by brethren!

To be a visible love, requires a love...

That goes beyond the four walls of the church building

That extends beyond the few hours we are assembled together

That can be observed by those of the world and in the world

-- In some way, the world needs to have the opportunity to observe the disciples in action, in which their love that is patterned after Jesus' love can be seen

[Being a "warm and friendly church" while assembled is commendable, but it alone does not fulfill the command to have a new, sacrificial, and visible love patterned after the love of Jesus! If we wish to manifest this kind of love in our lives, where do we begin? Consider...]

THIS LOVE DEVELOPED

WE ARE TAUGHT BY GOD...

The Thessalonians excelled in this love - 1Th 4:9-10

1 Thessalonians 4:9–10 ESV

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,

For they had been "taught by God to love one another"

Certainly God's own love for us teaches us how to love - cf. 1Jn 4:9-11

1 John 4:9–11 ESV

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

-- Think of the Father's own sacrificial love for us, in sending His Son to be the propitiation for our sins!

WE LEARN FROM JESUS...

Jesus' own example of sacrifice teaches the true meaning of love - 1Jn 3:16

1 John 3:16 ESV

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

The more we contemplate upon the example of Jesus' life and death, the more likely we will love like He did!

WE ARE TO BE STIRRED UP BY BRETHREN...

We are to stir one another to love and good works - He 10:24

Hebrews 10:24 ESV

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,

An important means of doing this is by frequent assembling - He 10:25

Hebrews 10:25 ESV

not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

-- Perhaps one reason why some don't love as they should, is because they don't assemble like they should!

[Through careful study of the Father's love for us, the Savior's love for us, and through frequent assembling where we stir up another to love and good works, we can develop the kind of love "By Which All Will Know" we are Jesus' disciples. Finally, a thought or two about...]

THIS LOVE DEMONSTRATED

IN OUR ASSEMBLY...

When we are assembled and have guests, we have an opportunity to demonstrate our love for another

What do our guests see? Do they see Christians who...

Are glad to see one another?

Are willing to take the time to visit with each other?

Even know each other's name?

-- Our assemblies may be the only time some guests have the opportunity to see Christians interact; do they see an evident love and concern for one another?

IN OUR COMMUNITY...

We often have the opportunity to be together in ways that others can see...

Perhaps we work with other Christians

Or we have neighbors that are Christians

Or we gather to visit, or do things together

What do those in the world see? Do they see an interaction that...

Reveals a strong love and appreciation for one another?

Shows a sincere interest in each other's well-being?

Where there are differences, is the way we handle them different?

Christians will often sin against one another, offend one another

But will they see long-suffering and a quickness to forgive, even as Christ forgave us? - cf. Ep 4:32; Col 3:13

Ephesians 4:32 ESV

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Colossians 3:13 ESV

bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

CONCLUSION

Jesus has revealed a powerful tool to persuade the world that we are His disciples...

Certainly we show our discipleship by faithfulness to His doctrine - cf. Jn 8:32

John 8:32 ESV

and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

But in a world that cares little for doctrinal distinctiveness, a Christ-like love for one another is how Jesus would have us convince the world! - cf. Jn 13:34-35

John 13:34–35 ESV

How is your love for your brother in Christ?

Is it Christ-like, i.e., a sacrificial love?

Is it observable, i.e., do people see your brotherly love in our assemblies and community?

If you admit your love for your brethren needs work (and we all can improve)...

Look to God and Jesus as the ultimate teachers of what it means to love one another

Utilize opportunities to be with brethren

Which provides occasion to grow and display your love

Which can serve to stir you to love and good works - cf. He 10:24-25

So remember...

"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." (Jn 13:35)

"Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (1Jn 4:11)

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