CHRIST’S NEW COMMANDMENT OF LOVE!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 12, 2023.

SUBJECT : CHRIST’S NEW COMMANDMENT OF LOVE!

Memory verse: "And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma." (Ephesians 5 vs 2.)

READ: John 13 vs 34 - 35:

13:34: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.

13:35: By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.

INTIMATION:

The commandment to love others is both old and new. It’s old because it comes from the Old Testament: “You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19 vs 18). And also in the New Testament: “...You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22 vs 39). However, Jesus gave us a new commandment that radically interpreted, in a new way, the concept of love for others: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13 vs 34). 

The commandment of love for our neighbors as we love ourselves is predicated on service and treatment to another. The idea is embodied in the saying, ‘Do to others what you like them to do to you.’ It’s love expressed through self-service and servanthood. In fact, it can be defined as “selfless giving.” Loving others as ourselves means actively working to see that their needs are met. Just as you don’t willingly let yourself go hungry, you take care of your body, you clothe yourself reasonably well, you make sure there is a roof over your head, you try not to let yourself be cheated or injured, and you should ensure that you treat others in the same manner. This is the kind of love we need to have for our neighbors. We must treat all people the way we would like to be treated.

However, in the new law Jesus Christ gave us, He demands that we do more than mere treating others as we would like to be treated; but willingly sacrificing ourselves for others—lovingly inconveniencing ourselves for the happiness of others. Our great King, Jesus Christ gave us the law; “You should love one another as I have loved you” (John 15 vs 12). Jesus loved us enough to give His life for us. And then He said; “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15 vs 13). We may not have to die for someone, but there are other ways to practice sacrificial love: listening, helping, encouraging, suffering for others etc.

When you love yourself, you definitely would not want to suffer needs. Likewise, ensure your neighbor does not suffers needs. But Jesus, in the new commandment, says, ‘If we need to suffer to ensure others’ needs are met, we should suffer.’ That is the manner He loved us: “He gave His life that we may have life, not just life but life in abundance (John 10 vs 10). 

Just as children imitate their parents, we should imitate Jesus Christ. His great love for us led Him to sacrifice Himself so that we might live. Our love for others should be of the same kind—a love that goes beyond affection to self-sacrificing service. Think of someone in particular who needs this kind of love today. Give all the love you can, and then try to give a little more—give sacrificially. 

Sincere love involves selfless giving: a self-centered person can’t truly love. God’s love and forgiveness free you to take your eyes off yourselves and to meet others’ needs. By sacrificing His life, Christ showed that He truly loves you. Now you can love others by following His example and giving yourself sacrificially. Jesus’ love knew no bounds, He reached beyond friends to enemies and persecutors. Can you see yourself do so?  

Love should be the unifying force and the identifying mark of the Christian community. Love is the key to walking in the light, because we cannot grow spiritually while we hate others. Our growing relationship with God will result in growing relationship with others.

Prayer: Abba Father, You so much loved me that You sacrificed Your life for me. Give me the grace to love others in like manner, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed. Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!