“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 only commandment the new creation Christian is to keep is this new commandment of love. Jesus fulfilled the Old Covenant and has established a New Covenant, not based on the blood of animal sacrifices as before, but based on His own shed blood. He now gives us the New Law of the New Covenant. It is to love one another in the same way He loves us.
The Message Bible says: “Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you; you love one another.”
“Even as I love you” is the condition or example God expects us to follow. We like to love one another “any old way we want to” and call it good enough. We are missing the point. We are commanded to love others in this manner.
Jesus didn’t give us a new “suggestion” but a new commandment. God gives us His love first and then tells us to share it with others. So we don’t have to create it, we just pass it on.
I am commanded by Jesus Christ Himself to love the people that are in my life with the love of God that He gives me. I can do that.
- Reading Plan A: Hebrews 11:20-40
- Reading Plan B: John 12
- Reading Plan C: Ezekiel 13-15; Hebrews 11:20-40
by Tim Davidson
Excerpt permission granted by
Word of Faith Church & Outreach Center
Called to the Body of Christ as a pastor and teacher, Tim Davidson pioneered Word of Faith Church in Bismarck in 1980. He served as its Lead Pastor for 35 years and now serves as Founding Pastor. Pastor Tim has pioneered 6 churches in North Dakota and now serves as Regional Director for Rhema Ministerial Association International. Teaching believers foundational truths from God's Word is his passion.
He has authored 3 yearly devotion books that are used both here and overseas to help believers become "rooted and grounded" in their faith.
God is now calling Pastor Tim to share the treasury of wisdom and knowledge God has given to him with other pastors and churches.