From the Book, Rules For Life: According To Jesus
4. Love and Serve One Another
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.”
John 13:34
This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.
John 15:12
When Jesus says something more than once, He must really mean it.
Of course, we just saw how He said to love God with all that we are. Now He is basically saying to do the same with the people in our lives, or at least love them as much as we love ourselves.
Why is love such a big thing with God? I think it’s because true love tends to keep us from doing wrong in other areas of life.
Paul unpacked this for us in one of his letters. Here’s what he wrote about love to those in Corinth:
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
So you can see how important it is to love people with a pure heart. Doing so helps to keep you straight in many other areas of your life.
Peter told us,
“Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.”
1 Peter 4:8
Loving God more than anyone else is important because if we really love Him we won’t want to go against His wishes for us (and break His commands). And loving others is important because we will act in a manner that brings us together, instead of tearing us apart. We will help each other, not hurt each other; we will build up, not tear down.
Love is a responsibility, not a feeling. It’s a verb. It requires action. What’s the “Golden Rule”? Love others as much as you love yourself. This doesn’t mean that you have to have mushy feelings for everyone — that isn’t practical — it means to act toward others the way that Paul said love acts.
If people would follow just this one command, the world would be a much, much better place.
Jesus also said, “If you love me, obey my commandments.” (John 14:15) So love brings with it obedience to God, Just as I already mentioned. Love and serve one another. It’s a commandment from the Creator of life—Jesus.
Previous – Place God First | Next – Live By Faith
Sections in this study:
Introduction
1: Repent
2: Be Born Again
3: Place God First
4: Love and Serve One Another
5: Live By Faith
6: Forgive Others
7: Remain in Jesus
8: Live Righteously Before Men
9: Avoid Bad Influences
10: Stay On The Narrow Path
11: Do Not Return Evil With Evil
12: Give More Than Is Demanded
13: Love Your Enemies
14: Check Your Motives
15: Pray Simply
16: Do Not Worry
17: Store Up Treasures In Heaven
18: Do Not Be Judgmental
19: Guard what is Sacred
20: Care For Those In Distress
21: Do Not Swear Oaths
22: Watch out for false prophets
23: Exercise Spiritual Power
24: Have Childlike Faith
25: Do Not Exalt Yourself
26: Settle Disputes Quickly
27: Settle Disputes Between Believers
28: Do not Oppose Brethren
29: Remember Me
30: Be Merciful
31: Make Disciples
32: Be Ready
33: Obey Jesus’ Commands
Closing Comments
