“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
John 13:34 -35
As Christians, Jesus calls us to a life where we value, serve, and love others as He did. This was the lifestyle Jesus modeled—a continuous example of sacrificial love, ultimately shown in His journey to the cross. But despite this clear standard, many believers struggle to live out this calling, often blending into worldly patterns rather than reflecting Christ’s love.
We are known to be Christ’s by how we live our life and how we show love, which is the greatest of all. In the Gospel of John, the emphasis on love grows as Jesus approaches the cross. The Greek word for “love” appears 12 times in John 1-12; yet, in chapters 13-21, it appears 44 times, highlighting Jesus’ deeper teachings on love.
Jesus’ ultimate sacrifice is a model for how we are to love others with a sacrificial, non-judgmental love that seeks their well-being. Loving others in this way means embracing them in their struggles, lifting them in prayer, and choosing to encourage rather than judge. When we follow this path, we’re not only living a life of Christ but also drawing others to experience God’s love.
Charge: We should show love because we were first loved.
Further Study: 1 John 4:7-8; Romans 5:8
Remain in Christ’s love.
