John 13:34-35 AMPC
[34] I give you a new commandment: that you should love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too should love one another. [35] By this shall all [men] know that you are My disciples, if you love one another [if you keep on showing love among yourselves].
A few days ago, we looked at the two greatest commandments that Jesus laid out at the start of His earthly ministry. The law and the prophets, and all their requirements, would be summed up under those two commandments, which were total love for God with our whole being, and love for others, just as we loved ourselves. The audience, at that time, were the Pharisees and Sadducees, and all they were looking for was a way to trap Him. They were really not looking forward to hearing the truth about God's kingdom, or His demands and expectations from all who will follow Him, but at least, Jesus made clear what the standard for everyone is. However, as we will see in the verses above, there is a step higher and an experience deeper than the one that was highlighted to the Pharisees and the Sadducees. For them, the minimum was sufficient; for disciples and followers of Christ, the minimum is not the standard. There is a step higher, deeper and nobler than being content doing the minimum.
It is quite instructive that at the time Jesus was highlighting the instructions above, only His disciples were there. This was not a message or teaching for the crowd, but only for disciples. In fact, to make matters even more poignant, Judas Iscariot, who would later betray Jesus, had gone out to do what he would do, so Jesus was left with the other 11 men. Loving God is great, and is a sign of submission to Him, but how can the world also know and experience this love if there is no earthly equivalent or manifestation of it? How can the world know of the love of God if there is no one to make it known? To the Pharisees and Sadducees, loving others as you would love yourself was sufficient, but for those who are called by the name of the Lord, the new standard is the kind of love that we have now been shown and given. If we had no examples, we would not be blamed.
However, we have been shown what amazing looks like, and we have also been supplied the grace that we need to help us live up to these expectations, we do not have any excuse not to live in and show forth the value of the love that we have received. His love for me has become the new normal; His love for me is the new standard to be emulated and replicated across all my human interactions and engagements. The world is looking for the right examples; it is under the siege of the evil one, and that is why those who dare to be different also stand out and are abused and persecuted. That is the way of the world and should not surprise anyone who wants to live and love like the verses above lay out. Be sure you will stand out, but be sure also that you have God's backing, because you are living in line with His command. A command is not negotiable; it is required for all who are under its reach and scope. Are you under the authority of Jesus? If yes, you have your mandate and instruction. Go forth and live it out. God's time of favour is here.
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