![]() And while that wisely uses someone’s sense of self-interest to motivate altruistic behavior, it suffered from the limitation that abused, damaged, and sinful people often don’t know what it means to love themselves.īut Jesus’ “new commandment” changed that standard, didn’t it?Īccording to His “one another” commands, the norm for what it means to love is not how you love yourself, but how Jesus loves you ! Thus, Jesus’ “new commandment” is thoroughly Christ-centered. However, the standard for treating others was how you treated yourself. “A new commandment.” “ My commandment.” In what sense is Jesus’ commandment either new or His ?Īfter all, the Mosaic Law commanded love, i.e, “you shall love your neighbor as yourself ” (e.g., Lev 19:18, 34). “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34-35). “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another as I have loved you, that you also love one another. Consider these two “one another” commands: ![]() And while sinners love those who love them, Jesus calls you to a higher path. But theoretically, that is a low standard. Sometimes unbelievers can love better than believers. As Christians, we do not need to downplay the reality of their love.Īnd frankly, did you know that Christians, both individually and corporately, can fail to live up to that minimum standard of love?ĭid you know that whole churches can act worse than unbelievers? That’s why Paul warned the Galatians against biting and devouring each other (Gal 5:15)-because they could! How many other churches have “left their first love” (Rev 2:4)? They can start charities, donate their time and money, and try to reduce the suffering of others both at home and abroad. “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them” (Luke 6:32).Įven unbelievers love. ![]() Not everything that calls itself love is loving.Īnd what’s more, not all loves are equal.ĭid you know that non-Christians can be examples of what it means to love others? As Jesus said, ![]()
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