August 31, 2023
Genuine Love
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35 (NASB)
When I first started back in church, I was amazed at the way people treated each other. It was a little strange to me at first. I came from a traditional family whose parents were born in the 1930’s, where parents were not very affectionate. You knew you were loved and provided for, but parents didn’t show affection (either physically or emotionally). It was a different era. Several years ago, I asked my mother why she and dad never said, “I love you.” She told me we knew we were loved, because they provided for our needs. I told her, “It would have been nice to hear it though.” It was just different then. I understand now. The love I experienced when I started back in church in the 1990’s was different too. There was genuine concern for each. The folks at church cared for each other as themselves. This was a good model for me in the coming years, and it showed the example of love which Christ extended to His disciples.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” The word “love” used here both times is agapaō; meaning to love. It does not stop with this simple definition though, “This “love,” (care) is to have great affection or care for, or loyalty towards another.”[1] The concept of this kind of love is rooted in the Old Testament. It is founded upon our love for God first. When one loves God, he naturally loves others as well. This is because God has extended His love first. The love God shares is irresistible. When we receive God’s love, it gives us an example to follow and practice to others. Calvin says, “Brotherly love is, indeed, extended to strangers, for we are all of the same flesh, and are all created after the image of God; but because the image of God shines more brightly in those who have been regenerated, it is proper that the bond of love, among the disciples of Christ, should be far more close. In God, brotherly love seeks its cause, from him it has its root, and to him it is directed. Thus, in proportion as it perceives any man to be a child of God, it embraces him with the greater warmth and affection. Besides, the mutual exercise of love cannot exist but in those who are guided by the same Spirit. It is the highest degree of brotherly love, therefore, that is here described by Christ; but we ought to believe, on the other hand, that, as the goodness of God extends to the whole world, so we ought to love all, even those who hate us.”[2] When Jesus spoke to the disciples, He knew the same forces of evil were at work daily. The call of these forces causes one to think of him/herself selfishly, yet the believer chooses to love others as themselves. This is the love Jesus reciprocated to His disciples, as they would to the world. The example they exhibited would be proof, “that you are My disciples.”
Sometimes the best examples in life are from ones in front of us. I learned this from Christians who shared the love of Christ to me and my family. No matter how or when, they always loved us. They showed us the love Christ talked about today. The world needs now more than ever to see this example. Love Others unconditionally today as Christ Loves You!
[1] Thomas, R. L. (1998). In New American Standard Hebrew-Aramaic and Greek dictionaries : updated edition. Foundation Publications, Inc.
[2] Calvin, J., & Pringle, W. (2010). Commentary on the Gospel according to John (Vol. 2, p. 76). Logos Bible Software.