Let's Do Something New

A New Command

John 13:34 A new Command I give you: love one another as I have loved you, so you must love one another.

With all the hostility in the White House; with all the partisanship divides, with all the racial tension, with all the tension with Immigration Reform, with all the controversy of Proposition 8, we need a new Law! There ought to be a law passed that we Love Each Other! This is no warm fuzzy, romantic love this is a love and acknowledgment of the common distinction that we are all human and worthy of respect. It is a love that originates from the response of first having been loved by God.

Maybe that's the problem; if you've never experienced the love of Jesus Christ yourself you can't reciprocate with others what you haven't received yourself.

Even on the eve of his betrayal by Judas, Jesus tells his disciples, "I'm giving you a new command that you love one another as I have loved you." If our new command is to love one another as Jesus loved us the question is, "How did he love us?"

1. He loved us while we were yet sinners. Jesus didn't wait 'til people were 'lovable' he loved people while they were still messed up. Oftentimes we have to wait until people are presentable before we can show them empathy or give them our respect but Jesus conversed with prostitutes, demoniacs, hypocrites, and sinners. It was his initiation of love that helped people cross the bridge to salvation and healing.

2. He loved those who society said were unlovable. Jesus often interacted with outcasts by being compassionate to their suffering. Whenever he saw disenfranchised people his heart went out to them and his love drew them in. The illegal aliens, the homosexuals, the impoverished, and the misunderstood need our love today. So often we say love the "sinner" hate the sin but we have gotten stuck on the hate part but haven't initiated the Love.

3. He gave up his life for ours. Greater love has no man than this then he who would lay down his life for his friend. When Jesus died for us we were enemies of the state. He died hoping we would do the right thing. Today, people almost need prenuptial agreements before they can even be friends. God's love does what is right by people before they reciprocate. When you love with God's love you do what is necessary for the good of the populace without holding back the love that is necessary for people who are not very friendly. Agape loves even when it doesn't feel like loving.

Dear God, help me to love like Jesus. For the betterment of everybody else help me to die to my way of doing things so the nation, the community, and the organization can be healed. Help me to love my neighbor as I love myself. The love you give me today allow me to give it away to every person I meet. Let them see Jesus in Me. They will know we are Christians by our love.

In Jesus Name,

Amen