Jesus told His disciples that all men would know they were His disciples because they loved one another (John 13:35). His command for them to love one another was to be expressed in their lives as a message to a lost world. However, it would also be a message to set their own hearts at rest in times of inward struggle for assurance (1 John 3:19–20).

This is the message that we have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 12 Do not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own actions were evil and his brother’s were righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you. 14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19 This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence 20 whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. (1 John 3:11–20 NIV)

The love of Christ toward His disciples is not only for their sake, but it is also for the sake of their brothers and sisters in need, and for the sake of a lost world who does not yet know His love. Consequently, the loving of one another is a valuable and powerful thing for us to do. First of all, loving one another will help our brothers and sisters in need. Secondly, it will help a lost world understand true discipleship. Finally, it will help us, because it will set our hearts at rest in His presence as we obey His commands.

These writings about love come to us from the disciple who knew he was loved by Jesus, because he describes himself as the disciple that Jesus loved (John 13:23; 21:7, 20). This week, if you know you are loved by Jesus, obey the new command (John 13:34). Find a Christian brother or sister in need, and love one another for the love of Christ!

Peace,

Jay Don

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