So far as practical Christianity is concerned, there could be no words more important than the ones found in John 13:34.  Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

In contrast to this love, the evidence of how heartless man can be is overwhelming.  The depth of man’s brutality has stained the canvas of human history, from Cain’s murder of his brother Abel, up until this very moment.  However, out of the smoke and ashes of man’s unkindness, arose the cross of Calvary and the cry of love that changed the world forever.  Now in a world of hate, there is a message of love produced by the salvation offered by Christ—a salvation that was planned, provided, given, and finished by love.  And now, the one who made it all possible; the one who died on that cross so that the meanness of man could be forgiven, commands us to love one another.

While we are commanded by God to love all of mankind, Jesus is specifying our love for one another in Christ.  While He was speaking to His apostles in the upper room, by extension, this new commandment reaches down to all of us who belong to Christ today.  I know this because it is so often repeated throughout the New Testament.  No one spoke more of love than John.

1 John 3:11, 14, 23 (ESV)
¹¹  For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another… ¹⁴  We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers… ²³  And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us.  

If we are to succeed as the people of God, and if our local churches are going to prevail over our adversary, the devil, we must love one another.  The constant demand of the Word of God is for Christians to love one another.

1 Peter 1:22 (ESV)
²²  Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart,

Do you love the brethren?  Do I?  It is easy to say we love one another, but saying it is not enough.  True love is played out in real life.  If we really love each other, we will spend time with each other, correct each other when we do wrong, help each other in times of need, attempt to restore each other if we fall, and just care for each other overall because that is what love does.

Maybe you have wondered why Jesus called love a new commandment in John 13:34.  It is because, while the command to love is not new itself, loving as Jesus did is.  Jesus tells us to love “just as I have loved you.”   To love as Jesus loved is a new standard of love never seen by the world before.

He gave up a glorious place in heaven to be persecuted on earth.  That was a demonstration of love this world had never seen.  He once washed the feet of His disciples, showing that He, though He was God manifested in the flesh, was willing to serve others.  That was a demonstration of love.  And, when He was in pain and agony on the cross, He prayed for the forgiveness of those who were crucifying Him.   His love was unconditional, selfless, sacrificial, and consistent, and now we know how we ought to love one another.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things