“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.”
This is the what Jesus tells His disciples in John 13 shortly before going to the cross. The level of love commanded here is quite amazing. We are love each other just as Christ loved us. What did He do for us? He considered Himself of no reputation and took on the form of man and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2)
This is the kind of love we are to have for one another. That same chapter of Philippians verse 4 tells us to look out not only for our own interests but also for the interests of others esteeming others better than ourselves.
When we look at the characteristics of love given for us in 1 Corinthians 13 we find that love suffers long and is kind. Love is not boastful or envious. It doesn’t put on airs and is not puffed up. It does not behave rudely nor seek its own way. It is not provoked and does not think evil of others. It’s relatively easy not to speak evil of others, but not to think it?!
What a challenge for us who call ourselves Christians to realize that this kind of love is the target we are aiming at. Jesus told the disciples in John 13 that everyone would know our connection with Christ as His disciples by the evidence of this kind of love.
I have a long way to go.
The personal mission which God has given to my wife and me is to glorify God in His Church by ministering to others for their progress and joy in the faith. We will focus on ministry which teaches others so that they may teach others also. This blog provides one forum for helping to accomplish that mission.
