by Laura Springer, Th.M., Ph.D.
Relevant Scripture: John 13:31-38; 15:12-17
Other references: Word Bible Commentary Vol. 36 on John 13:31–38 and John 15:12-17.
Not that long ago, I assumed loving one another didn’t require us to like one another. After studying the above passages, I’m not so sure.
In these two passages from the Upper Room Discourse (John 13-17), Jesus calls the disciples his friends and, in that context, commands them to love one another as he loves them. Jesus loves them as friends and defines the greatest love to be giving one’s life for one’s friends. If loving like Jesus is giving ourselves for our friends, what does loving one another look like, especially as we disperse into daily life?
Recognize that love for one another is required. Jesus’ gracious act of redemption puts us under obligation to love one another, and this love must not and cannot be confined to our gatherings. Jesus states clearly that those outside the church will know we are his disciples because we love one another. Bottom line: those who trust Jesus love those who trust Jesus, whether they are around one another or not.
The measure of love is sacrifice. Given in the context of Jesus’ determination to go to the cross, this command to love goes well beyond “love your neighbor as yourself.” We are commanded to love as he loves, giving ourselves for the good of others, and drawing others to ourselves.
Life is the testing ground. Love is not an emotion that just happens but the decision to consider others as more important than ourselves. It is recognizing that all those who trust Christ are our sisters and brothers and choosing to behave accordingly. Loving is not only in how we act toward one another but also in how we think and feel about one another.
Let’s be honest: we assume our family tensions stay in the family, but that doesn’t actually happen. Our souls leak all over the place. But when love for one another leaks out alongside the struggles, that love becomes a key piece of evidence for God’s gracious redemption in Christ.
Through his sacrificial love, Jesus has made us his friends and friends of one another. Let us commit together to love one another. Jesus is worth it. Our brothers and sisters are worth it. Those without Jesus are worth it. God’s love and grace make it doable.
by Laura Springer, Th.M., Ph.D.
Relevant Scripture: Hebrews 10:19–25 (see also 1 Corinthians 13:13; Colossians 1:3–5; 1 Thessalonians 1:2–3; 5:8)
TFB is at a threshold. This year, Academy has been exploring who, what, and how God intends his church to be. This month we begin summarizing what we have discovered, beginning with a look at the church gathered.
As the gathered church, we encourage one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:25). We worship boldly as one, each free to enter God's presence quietly or loudly, peacefully or wildly. We encourage one another to do God's works. Within the context of relationship, we share our lives and our love for Jesus, pointing one another to him and reminding each other who we are in him. We share responsibility, recognizing that life in Jesus is the work of each and all. We meet and encourage one another even when doing so is hard and measure the quality of our gatherings by the love we have expressed for God and one another. We design worship services, business meetings, and small group gatherings that center on Jesus and provide ample opportunity to express love for one another.
The gathered church can have confidence in the blood of Jesus and absolute security in him, our great priest (Hebrews 10:19-21). We know that Jesus' death, resurrection, and glorification have made it possible for us to come boldly before God. We are free to give ourselves to God and one another. We can be ourselves and, when we mess up, we can trust the grace of Jesus and the graciousness of our brothers and sisters.
The gathered church practices bold worship, regular proclamation of the Gospel, and consistent opportunities for mutual discipleship (Hebrews 10:22-24). Bold worship proclaims God's worth and declares love for him as our most important activity. Gospel proclamation focuses our life together on Jesus, without fear or compromise. We commit to theological fidelity and cultural clarity without compromising either. Every meet-up is an opportunity to influence the spiritual development of our brothers and sisters.
Being a Christian is never a solo affair: our gatherings are crucial (Hebrews 10:25)! Whether gathered for worship, service, or learning, the church should always be about helping one another become more and more like Jesus. As siblings in Christ, let us focus on Jesus in personal and corporate worship. Let us commit ourselves to trust God and believe what he says. Let us participate in frequent mutual discipleship. Figuring out what this looks like for us is crucial during this time of transition.
