Love One Another
Love One Another
What makes the church stand out in a world filled with division, hatred, and self-centeredness? Is it the buildings we meet in? The programs we run? The theological creeds we confess? All of those things have their place, but Jesus gave His disciples one distinguishing mark:
Notice that Jesus didn’t say, “By your doctrinal statements everyone will know,” or “By your evangelistic zeal everyone will know.” Both doctrine and mission matter deeply, but Jesus said love would be the badge of belonging.
“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
— John 13:34–35
Notice that Jesus didn’t say, “By your doctrinal statements everyone will know,” or “By your evangelistic zeal everyone will know.” Both doctrine and mission matter deeply, but Jesus said love would be the badge of belonging.
The Context of the Command
To feel the weight of these words, we need to picture the scene. Jesus is in the upper room with His disciples. He has just washed their feet (John 13:1–17)—a shocking act of humble service from the Master to His students. He knows Judas is about to betray Him (v. 21). He knows Peter will deny Him (v. 38). He knows the cross is hours away.
And in that moment, with the shadow of Calvary looming large, Jesus gives His followers a “new command”: Love one another as I have loved you.
The command isn’t new in the sense that God had never told His people to love before (see Lev. 19:18). It’s new because of the standard—“as I have loved you.” Never before had the Son of God come in the flesh to demonstrate love in such radical, sacrificial ways. Jesus redefined love by embodying it.
And in that moment, with the shadow of Calvary looming large, Jesus gives His followers a “new command”: Love one another as I have loved you.
The command isn’t new in the sense that God had never told His people to love before (see Lev. 19:18). It’s new because of the standard—“as I have loved you.” Never before had the Son of God come in the flesh to demonstrate love in such radical, sacrificial ways. Jesus redefined love by embodying it.
Love Defined by the Cross
The gospel gives us the clearest definition of love. John, who heard Jesus speak these words, later wrote:
Love is not merely an emotion. It’s not sentimental mush. Biblical love is a rugged commitment to seek the good of another, even at great personal cost. The cross is the measure and model.
If our love is defined by the cross, then church life can’t be about convenience. Loving one another will stretch us. It will require forgiveness when wronged, patience when annoyed, generosity when it costs us, and endurance when it’s hard.
“This is how we have come to know love: He laid down his life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
— 1 John 3:16, CSB
Love is not merely an emotion. It’s not sentimental mush. Biblical love is a rugged commitment to seek the good of another, even at great personal cost. The cross is the measure and model.
- It’s sacrificial. Jesus didn’t love from a distance; He entered our mess, bore our sin, and died in our place.
- It’s unconditional. Jesus didn’t wait for us to get our act together. “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).
- It’s intentional. Jesus chose the cross. Love doesn’t happen by accident; it’s a deliberate act of will.
If our love is defined by the cross, then church life can’t be about convenience. Loving one another will stretch us. It will require forgiveness when wronged, patience when annoyed, generosity when it costs us, and endurance when it’s hard.
Love Demonstrated in Community
The “one another” command assumes relationships. Christianity is not a solo sport; it’s a team endeavor.
A Family, Not an Event
Too often, church is reduced to a Sunday event—songs, sermon, and out the door. But the New Testament vision is far richer. Believers are called “brothers and sisters” over 200 times. We are “the household of God” (1 Tim. 3:15).
In a healthy family, love isn’t theoretical. It shows up in daily life—meals shared, burdens carried, apologies made, laughter enjoyed. Likewise, the church is to be a community where love is seen, felt, and experienced.
Practical Expressions
How do we demonstrate this love? Scripture gives us dozens of examples:
A Family, Not an Event
Too often, church is reduced to a Sunday event—songs, sermon, and out the door. But the New Testament vision is far richer. Believers are called “brothers and sisters” over 200 times. We are “the household of God” (1 Tim. 3:15).
In a healthy family, love isn’t theoretical. It shows up in daily life—meals shared, burdens carried, apologies made, laughter enjoyed. Likewise, the church is to be a community where love is seen, felt, and experienced.
Practical Expressions
How do we demonstrate this love? Scripture gives us dozens of examples:
- Encourage one another (1 Thess. 5:11).
- Forgive one another (Eph. 4:32).
- Serve one another (Gal. 5:13).
- Carry one another’s burdens (Gal. 6:2).
- Be devoted to one another in love (Rom. 12:10).
Love Declared to the World
Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Love is not only for the benefit of the church; it’s a witness to the world.
Love as Apologetic
In a culture marked by polarization and hostility, a community of diverse people loving one another is countercultural. When the world sees Democrats and Republicans, rich and poor, old and young, all worshiping together in unity, it notices.
The early church grew not because they had political power, but because they had a powerful love. Tertullian, a second-century church father, said unbelievers marveled, “See how they love one another.”
Love and Mission
Our evangelism loses credibility if it isn’t backed up by love. You can’t proclaim a God of love while treating people with indifference or bitterness. Our gospel preaching must be paired with gospel living.
Who in your life could see the love of Jesus through you this week? Maybe it’s a neighbor, or a co-worker. Your love may be the sermon they need before they ever step into a church.
Love as Apologetic
In a culture marked by polarization and hostility, a community of diverse people loving one another is countercultural. When the world sees Democrats and Republicans, rich and poor, old and young, all worshiping together in unity, it notices.
The early church grew not because they had political power, but because they had a powerful love. Tertullian, a second-century church father, said unbelievers marveled, “See how they love one another.”
Love and Mission
Our evangelism loses credibility if it isn’t backed up by love. You can’t proclaim a God of love while treating people with indifference or bitterness. Our gospel preaching must be paired with gospel living.
Who in your life could see the love of Jesus through you this week? Maybe it’s a neighbor, or a co-worker. Your love may be the sermon they need before they ever step into a church.
Obstacles to Loving One Another
Of course, love isn’t easy. If it were, Jesus wouldn’t have had to command it. What keeps us from loving one another?
- Selfishness. We default to asking, “What’s in it for me?” rather than, “How can I serve you?”
- Bitterness. Past wounds make forgiveness difficult.
- Busyness. Our schedules leave little margin for meaningful relationships.
- Pride. We think we’re above certain people or tasks.
Love Displayed through Forgiveness
We can’t talk about loving one another without addressing forgiveness. Paul writes:
Forgiveness is one of the clearest demonstrations of love because it’s costly. It means absorbing the debt instead of demanding repayment. It means choosing reconciliation over revenge.
Corrie ten Boom, a survivor of the Holocaust, once encountered a former Nazi guard who had abused her sister. He asked for her forgiveness. Corrie wrote that she froze, unable to extend her hand. But silently, she prayed, “Jesus, help me.” And in that moment, she felt Christ’s love flow through her, enabling her to forgive.
Only the gospel can empower that kind of love.
“And be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ.”
— Ephesians 4:32
Forgiveness is one of the clearest demonstrations of love because it’s costly. It means absorbing the debt instead of demanding repayment. It means choosing reconciliation over revenge.
Corrie ten Boom, a survivor of the Holocaust, once encountered a former Nazi guard who had abused her sister. He asked for her forgiveness. Corrie wrote that she froze, unable to extend her hand. But silently, she prayed, “Jesus, help me.” And in that moment, she felt Christ’s love flow through her, enabling her to forgive.
Only the gospel can empower that kind of love.
Love Displayed through Service
Jesus didn’t just tell His disciples to love one another; He showed them by washing their feet (John 13:1–17). In that culture, foot washing was the lowest job. Yet the King of kings picked up a towel.
Service is love in action. It might mean setting up chairs, teaching kids, visiting the elderly, or cleaning up after a meal. No task is beneath us if Jesus stooped to serve.
Ask yourself: Am I more concerned with being served or serving? Where can I pick up a towel this week?
Service is love in action. It might mean setting up chairs, teaching kids, visiting the elderly, or cleaning up after a meal. No task is beneath us if Jesus stooped to serve.
Ask yourself: Am I more concerned with being served or serving? Where can I pick up a towel this week?
Love Sustained by the Spirit
Here’s the good news: Jesus doesn’t just command love; He supplies the power to love. Love is a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22). That means it’s not manufactured by human effort but produced by divine power.
The Spirit takes the love of Christ displayed at the cross and pours it into our hearts (Rom. 5:5). He gives us new affections, new desires, new strength to love even when it’s hard.
The Spirit takes the love of Christ displayed at the cross and pours it into our hearts (Rom. 5:5). He gives us new affections, new desires, new strength to love even when it’s hard.
Love and the New Creation
Finally, our love for one another points forward to eternity. The church is a preview of the new creation, where every tribe, tongue, and nation will worship the Lamb in perfect unity.
When we love one another across boundaries of race, class, and culture, we give the world a foretaste of heaven. As John says:
When we love one another across boundaries of race, class, and culture, we give the world a foretaste of heaven. As John says:
“Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”
— 1 John 4:7
Conclusion: The Call to Radical Love
So, why does “love one another” matter?
Jesus has loved us with a relentless, sacrificial, forgiving love. And now He says, “Love one another as I have loved you.”
- Because the cross defines love.
- Because community demonstrates love.
- Because the world notices love.
- Because only the Spirit empowers love.
- Because love previews the new creation.
Jesus has loved us with a relentless, sacrificial, forgiving love. And now He says, “Love one another as I have loved you.”
Reflection Questions
- How have you personally experienced Christ’s love recently?
- Who in your church family needs to experience your love this week?
- What obstacles keep you from loving others, and how does the gospel address them?
- How might your love for fellow believers serve as a witness to your unbelieving friends and neighbors?
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