Love! (part 3 of 3)

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” That was the second greatest commandment our Lord mentioned to one who questioned Him. ( Mark 12:31) As we noted yesterday, we know how we want to be treated. Also, if we love ourselves enough to take care of ourselves and seek our highest good, then that is a good basis on which to love others. However, how consistent is that standard? It is certainly not a perfect standard since we are not perfect individuals. We may not always even love ourselves as we ought. If the manner in which we love ourselves is the standard, when we lack a healthy sense of love for self won’t that affect the manner in which we love others? Are there not people who really don’t like themselves? Have we ever experienced such moments in our own life? This appears to point toward the need for yet a HIGHER AND MORE CONSISTENT STANDARD for loving others than what self-love can provide!

Prior to Jesus’ death, He said to His disciples. . .
“(34) A NEW COMMANDMENT I give to you, that you love one another: JUST AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, you also are to love one another.” ( John 13:34 ESV)

This is different than the manner in which Jesus responded to the one to whom He stated the greatest and second greatest commandments. ( Mark 12:29-31) Jesus here even stated He was giving the disciples “a new commandment.” That “new commandment” was associated with a NEW AND HIGHER STANDARD for loving others than using self as the model. As Christians, self is no longer to be the standard, but rather CHRIST’S LOVE is to be the model after which our love for others is to be patterned. Our love for others is not to be based on the pre-eminent law of the Jews ( Leviticus 19:18), but on the PERFECT LOVE OF JESUS! Under Christ, the bar has been raised. In Him a new standard has been set. It is a DIVINE LOVE we need to grow in for one another. That is where we can find consistency for loving others.

Jesus went on to state. . .
“(35) BY THIS ALL PEOPLE WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES, IF YOU HAVE LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER.” ( John 13:35 ESV)

Loving in this way clearly IDENTIFIES US WITH JESUS because we are loving in the manner in which He loves and desires us to love; a love modeled after HIS DIVINE LOVE. Ordinary love is not good enough. What this world needs is to be DIVINELY LOVED! With self-love no longer as the standard, self is less likely to get in the way, thus providing the growth of healthy relationships unified in the Lord. Praise God for a DIVINE STANDARD OF LOVE that can bring God glorifying consistency into our life connections with others.

Have a great day COMPELLED IN ACTION BY THE LOVE OF CHRIST!
Carl

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