Today’s Scripture: John 13:31-35 (S.O.A.P. John 13:34-35)
Question of the Day: How can we love one another like Christ loved us?
31 When[a] Judas[b] had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man is glorified, and God is glorified in him. 32 If God is glorified in him,[c] God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him right away.[d] 33 Children, I am still with you for a little while. You will look for me,[e] and just as I said to the Jewish religious leaders,[f] ‘Where I am going you cannot come,’[g] now I tell you the same.[h]
34 “I give you a new commandment—to love[i] one another. Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.[j] 35 Everyone[k] will know by this that you are my disciples—if you have love for one another.”
Found this researching these verses and thought it was well worth reading.
So, how might we begin to love one another as Christ loved us?
We love by forgiving each other as Christ forgave us.
We love by serving one another in humility as Christ served his disciples by washing their feet.
We love by generously giving to those in need from our financial and physical resources.
We love by patiently bearing with one another when mistakes and immaturity are manifest.
We love by deferring to one another in humility and seeking their best interests above our own.
We love by speaking the truth in love, not by compromising simply because we fear they might be offended.
We love by refusing to isolate ourselves from others but by seeking relationships of love and affirmation and encouragement in community.
We love by always being willing to suffer inconveniences and interruptions in our schedules if that is what is called for to serve and help and encourage others.
We love by not turning away from or scorning those who differ from us on secondary theological matters.
We love by striving at all times to preserve the bond of the unity of the Spirit.
We love by praying for one another.
And above all else, we love by laboring in God’s grace to enable others to enjoy Christ as their supreme treasure.
The “new” in this command to love is because we have a new power. The light of Christ shines in and through us.
We have Christ’s power to overcome our selfishness, hate or disdain for others.
1John 2:8 Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.
Our love bears witness to the fact that we are born again.
We can love one another by showing each other compassion and kindness. If we are Jesus disciples its important to give to others, show love in a dark world. We are to be a light for others.