This I command you—to love one another.
John 15:17 NET
As a follower of Jesus, what does he want me to do? Jesus has much to say about how we should live our lives and treat others. But one thing stands above the rest.
Jesus commands us to love one another. This is not a suggestion, and it is not optional. It is a command. Failing to obey this command is not a minor issue. John ties loving other believers to loving God. And he is very blunt about it. If I don’t love my brother or sister in the faith, then I don’t love God (1 John 4:20-21).
This love we are to have for each other is more than an emotional feeling. It is an act of the will. It is laying down our lives for each other (1 John 3:16).
Loving one another is not always easy. In fact, it can sometimes be very challenging. But just because it is hard is not an excuse.
Love those whose words are harsh and unloving. Love those whose values and beliefs may differ from yours. And love those who do not return your love.
How many of the divisions within the church today are caused by failing to keep this one command of Jesus? And how many of them would be healed if we chose to obey him?
We cannot, as individuals, heal all of the divisions in the church. But we can contribute to it at an individual level. If we obey Jesus’ command to love one another.
Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been fathered by God and knows God. The person who does not love does not know God, because God is love.
1 John 4:7-8 NET
Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up. It is not rude, it is not self-serving, it is not easily angered or resentful. It is not glad about injustice, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NET
