“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)
Nobody touches our hearts with His words like Jesus. As we close out our review of Fellowship, let’s review what Jesus has to say on the topic. In just a few words (captured above) Jesus gets to the heart of Fellowship. He proclaimed this command to His disciples shortly before His death. Please prayerfully read the passage and answer today’s questions.
Today’s questions for comments:
- Reflect on your experience of Christian interactions. What are some of the preconditions that we place on Jesus’ clear command to love one another?
- Think about Jesus’ interaction with his disciples. What acts of love stand out for you as promoting fellowship?
Tomorrow our Feature Friday Discipline will be the Discipline of Counsel.
March 19, 2015 at 2:28 am
Reflect on your experience of Christian interactions. What are some of the preconditions that we place on Jesus’ clear command to love one another?
We establish standards that another person must meet before they are “qualified” to be loved by us. Interestingly these are usually standards that are easily met by us (e.g. others are more lovable if there of a similar race, culture, sometimes language, sometimes skin color, denomination, worship style, etc)
Think about Jesus’ interaction with his disciples. What acts of love stand out for you as promoting fellowship?
Jesus’s rebuke of his disciples never seem to be designed to break their spirit but to teach and encourage development/maturity. (e.g. Mark 4:40, Matthew 6:30). He made a special “appearance” for Thomas to see (and touch) him – John 20:26-29.
Jesus interaction with and restoration of the Apostle Peter was also another act of love which stands out to me. He knew how disappointed Peter was in himself , in light of his denial of Him (Jesus,) his close Friend and Teacher. Such gentleness (without compromise) is one of the Christlike characteristics that we (especially leaders) should desire/pursue. It’s a quality that will not only encourage fellowship among believers in Christ but may be used by The Lord to bring unbelievers into fellowship with Him and, therefore, us. See 2 Timothy 2: 24-25: 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
March 19, 2015 at 9:23 am
I find that we ignore Jesus’ commandment of loving one another to an extent. We create extra criteria on whether someone deserves or needs our love. There’s a lot of judgment and condescension involved in that. Sometimes, we simply don’t want to put in the effort required to love one another fully.
The first example that comes to mind is Jesus washing the disciples’ feet. There are many important lessons in that passage, of course, but it struck me as an act of love because of His humility and selflessness. There was no pretense in His actions, there were no conditions, just pure love. Nothing else was needed or required.
March 19, 2015 at 10:05 pm
I love the Jesus examples provided – all superb acts of love which fostered deep fellowship. Thanks for your comments and for sharing these powerful examples!
March 19, 2015 at 10:37 pm
Reflect on your experience of Christian interactions. What are some of the preconditions that we place on Jesus’ clear command to love one another?
I agree with TJC and Cuaco about the picking and choosing and giving categories that Jesus never gave us on who deserves love. Specific ones I can consider are only truly accepting those living by our particular version of righteousness. It’s not that you accept another’s sin, but something that Jesus embodies so well is the accepting the sinner not their sin concept. I can also think of people we find annoying, people who treat us badly, people who have not shown us love etc.
Think about Jesus’ interaction with his disciples. What acts of love stand out for you as promoting fellowship?
When he washed their feet, when he invited them to pray and keep watch (and they all slept)