A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must
love one another (John 13:34).
love one another (John 13:34).
Jesus said each of the Ten Commandments is an expression of love for God or neighbor. This means the commandments are not merely restrictive (what to avoid) but are prescriptive (what to pursue).
Consequently, every law, command, and moral exhortation in Scripture is an application of how to love in a practical, sacrificial, costly way, much like Jesus has loved me through the cross.
This gives us a pithy definition of sanctification: “loving like Jesus.”
But how can I love so unselfishly and sacrificially as Christ? Simple—not easy, but simple. By abiding by faith like a branch in a Vine, drawing the life-giving, motive-changing, fruit-producing sap of the Spirit, who fills us as we consciously see ourselves clothed in the perfect gift-righteousness of Jesus. Indeed, the only way to love like Jesus is to be filled to the fullness of God (filled with the Spirit) by embracing the height, depth, width, and breadth of his love for you in Christ.
Then, motives change and new abilities grow as we find ourselves desiring to sacrifice for and give ourselves to bless others as Jesus has blessed/loved us—all to the praise of God’s glorious grace.
Prayer:
Jesus, the only way I will love well is if you fill me with your Spirit. For your honor and glory, and for my joy, give me the grace to let your love for me overflow through me.