LOVE (ONE ANOTHER)

Just before His arrest, trial, and crucifixion, the Lord Jesus spent one last evening with His disciples. He used this time to comfort and instruct them.

He also gave His disciples this command: "Love one another." The Lord Jesus said,

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another." John 13:34

This command is found in many places in the Bible. Here are a few:

"This is my commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you." John 15:12

"For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:14

"For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another." 1 John 3:11

"This commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also." 1 John 4:21

"Above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins." 1 Peter 4:8 NKJV

This command that we love one another is given special importance by the Lord Jesus Himself. Jesus said that obedience to it would be the identifying mark of His disciples. He said,

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." John 13:35

The Different Kinds of Love

Since love is so important to the life of a believer, we need to understand what the Lord Jesus means when He commands us to love one another. The Greek language has several words to express the concept of love:

1. EROS—The word "eros" is used to describe the love of pleasure, the love of that which pleases me.

2. PHILIA—The word "philia" is used to describe the love of attraction. It is the warm love and affection that we have in a close friendship.

3. AGAPE—The word "agape" is used to describe the love of God. AGAPE love is that love which the Father has for His beloved Son. Jesus said to His Father, "You loved [AGAPE] Me before the foundation of the world." (John 17:24) AGAPE love is also the love which God has for the human race. The Bible says,

"For God so loved [AGAPE] the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16

Amazingly, this AGAPE love is the very same love that Jesus commanded us to have for one another. Jesus said,

"This is My commandment, that you love [AGAPE] one another, as I have loved you." John 15:12

PRAYER POINT

O Lord, please give me the grace to love my neighbor as Thou art loved me. In Jesus Name. Amen