“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another” (John 13:34).
TEXT — John 13:31-38
Message
Tertullian, the early Christian writer, wrote that the Roman authority was agitated because the early Church multiplied. Even their young members refused to burn incense before the emperor’s image. Doubting their loyalty to the state, the rulers sent spies among the Christians. The spies returned with a report that the Christians met in an empty room with no image. They speak only of an invisible Jesus who they claim will appear anytime. But one thing is for sure: they love their Jesus, and they love one another.
The love among the early believers was extraordinary, a stark contrast to what we often see in many Christian assemblies today. On the eve of His crucifixion, Jesus gathered with His disciples in the upper room. He chose to spend His final moments with them, sharing things that were of utmost importance to Him. It was during this time that He taught the disciples the necessity of practical love for one another. He referred to the commandment to love others as a new commandment because it sets a higher standard and a broader scope than the Ten Commandments. While the Ten Commandments instruct us to love God and our neighbours, the new commandment instructs us to love as Christ loves us, even our enemies. Jesus exemplified this love by washing the feet of His disciples, even though He knew they would soon abandon Him, including Judas Iscariot who would betray Him. In love, He ultimately sacrificed His life to redeem a lost humanity that showed no sign of reciprocating His love. This love has the power to transform hearts and lives.
Jesus says our love for others is the identifying mark that we are His disciples. That love will make us winsome and draw sinners to Christ. It is not our loud profession that we are Christians or other emblems we often display that mark us as Christ’s disciples but our love for others.
Take a moment to reflect: do we love one another as Christ loves us? Do we love fervently, unconditionally, and untiringly? Assess your love level to discern if you are truly a disciple of Jesus. If you detect in your heart the remnants of hatred, malice, retaliation, or resentment against anyone – even your persecutors – it is time to return to God’s altar for purification and the strength to love like Christ.
Thought for the day
Don’t be deceived by outward emblems; love is the true mark of discipleship.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
