John 13:34-35 (NKJV)
In the military, there are rules of combat and rules of engagement along with other rules that govern the actions of the soldiers as one. In the early times of Christianity, the phrase Regula Fidei was used to represent the basic beliefs that united them as one. The phrase is Latin for “Rule of Faith”. Although the exact details of the Rule of Faith varied over the centuries and groups, we could actually say that Jesus gave us a command or rule of faith in John 13:34-35. Jesus said that we are to love one another, but not just love one another in any fashion, He said to love one another as He loved us. When you add the expression of loving as Jesus loved us, it is taken to a whole new level. You might say, a “Mount Everest” level. Let’s look together and see how we are to demonstrate this love for one another so that other people will recognize that we are the disciples of Jesus.
How did Jesus demonstrate love?
- Jesus communicated His love by His words.
In John 15:9, Jesus told His disciples that He loved them as the Father had loved Him. As we look to the scriptures we see that the Father was pleased with Jesus and that Jesus said that He came to do the Father’s will. Jesus also said that He and the Father were one. It’s obvious from these various scriptures that love for the Father and His disciples was communicated. If we are to love as Jesus loved, then we need to be communicating our love for one another. When is the last time that you told another brother or sister that you loved them? That you gave words of encouragement or spoke something loving and helpful into their lives? We need to communicate our love for one another. - Jesus expressed His love by His actions.
As we look through the scriptures, we see that Jesus healed the sick, fed the hungry and blessed those that were discouraged. Jesus showed through His actions that He loved His others. He even washed the disciples’ feet. It has been said that our actions speak louder than our words. When have you last taken some action to show another Christian that you love them? When have you stepped into their lives and served them or come to their aid in time of need? We need to express our love to others by our actions. - Jesus sealed His love by His sacrifice to the end.
In John 13:1, it tells us that Jesus loved them to the end. Jesus never stopped loving His disciples and He proved it by giving His life for them. He even asked the Father to forgive all that had turned on Him, because they did not fully realize what they were doing. Jesus never stopped loving them. It’s not very likely that you will be asked to give your life for another, but do you have a love that is never ending?
Jesus told us to love one another. Have you been demonstrating your love for others in a way that they know that you love them? Someone needs to know your love!
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