We should love one another
1 John 3:11 - Fulfill the call of Jesus to love one another.
“For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.”
1 John 3:11 NIV
Today’s devotional looks at a short verse that should be first and foremost in the mind of all Christians. Why do I use the word “should”? Because most of us don’t love one another in a manner that would please God.
This verse is from the first epistle of John the Apostle (some scholars believe it was John the Evangelist, not the apostle…), and unlike other epistles it was not targeting a specific early Christian church (i.e., Ephesus, Corinth, Galatia, etc…). Although there is no specific audience, the topics covered in the epistle seem to indicate that John was writing to a community of believers faced with theological questions and ethical challenges.
The verse begins with the phrase “For this is the message you have heard from the beginning”, emphasizing that the Christian message is consistent and continuous. John’s message of love isn’t a new commandment; it has been at the foundation of the Christian faith from the beginning. Jesus commanded His disciples to “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)
At the start of 1 John, the author writes of what was “from the beginning”, with respect to the eternal nature of God and His Word of life. John is stating that God’s command is unchanging, and that it is important to remember and to live the teachings of Christ.
What is one of the most fundamental principles taught by Jesus? That we should love one another. In Matthew 22:39, Jesus states that the second greatest commandment is “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This is agape love; selfless, sacrificial, and unconditional. To love others in this way not only reflects God’s love for humanity, but it distinguishes true Christian discipleship.
The early Christians were known for their love and care for each other, an outward sign to the surrounding culture that they were different in a good way. James 2:17 (“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”) demonstrates this love as a tangible thing. While our culture has changed to the point that most of us don’t (as the first Christians did) communally pool our belongings, cook and share all meals together, pray together frequently, or care for each other’s families, we can still demonstrate our Christian love in many other ways.
This commentary on Precept Austin by theologian Allen Ross examines what Christian love is all about:
That the kind of love Jesus had in mind is sacrificial love, a love that seeks to help others at one’s own expense, is absolutely clear from the comparison He made. His love for us cost Him His life--He willingly laid it down for us. That is the standard of love that is to be followed. The command to love one another is not a command simply to make friends with everyone, not even to like everyone (some of us are not always likeable), and certainly not merely to treat them with respect or kindness. It is a call for Christian action. This kind of love is an act of the will in which the one who loves seeks the best interests of other people even though it may be inconvenient to do so, or costly, or time consuming. We probably will not be called on to lay down our lives for others, but that is the fullest expression of this kind of love.
It begins with an attitude of love for other Christians--we must look around in the congregation and realize that these are people that Christ so loved that He died for them so that they might be with Him in glory. It finds expression in action: we must resolve to go out of our way to encourage and help people in whatever way we can. It should be a regular quest to find out who needs encouragement, assistance, or care. We cannot assume that because everyone is sitting neatly in their pew on Sunday that everything is okay and our job is done. If we make this a matter of prayer, then God will bring our way opportunities to demonstrate that we love one another.
One thing is very clear in the Bible, and that is what this love is not. John says, “We should love one another, not like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and murdered his brother” (1 John 3:11,12). John uses the standard of loving one another as evidence of true faith. Such love does not destroy a brother. Unfortunately, too much history of the Christian faith is spotted with people trying to destroy one another, one way or another. That is of the evil one.
The mark of the Christian is love for one another. The standard for that love is the pattern of Christ’s love for us. The motivation for loving one another comes from our love for Christ, for if we love Him we will keep His commandments--and He commanded us to love one another.
There are some very practical ways to love others (I’m including Bible verses that highlight these methods):
Perform acts of kindness: Help a neighbor, listen with a sympathetic ear to another person, hold a door open for someone. It doesn’t need to be much, but it shows that you truly care for the welfare of others. Galatians 6:10 - “Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”
Volunteer: When we serve others, we serve Christ. There is no shortage of community or church organizations that could use your help. Matthew 25:40 - “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’”
Forgive: One of the most difficult, yet powerful ways to show love is to heal relationships, drop grudges, and practice forgiveness. Matthew 6:14-15 - “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Encourage: Words of encouragement and support uplift others and bring joy to the heart! Proverbs 12:25 - “Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up.”
Pray: Pray for others, especially those you don’t know personally but who are in need of the Lord’s assistance. Ask God to bless them and guide them. James 5:16 - “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
What are you doing each day to demonstrate your Christian love for those around you? Consciously work some or all of these methods into your daily life, and fulfill the call of Jesus to love one another.
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Dear God, through Your Son and my Savior Jesus Christ, You have given us a very important task to fulfill — to love one another. I confess that I fall short of the example set by Jesus, so I pray that You work through the Holy Spirit to give me opportunities to love my fellow man. In Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN.