If you’ve been around for a while, you might recall Captain and Tennille. This couple not only topped the charts but also snagged a Grammy with their catchy tunes. Songs like “Love will unite us.” It’s a sentiment that feels timeless, right? For the younger audience, checking it out might give you a sense of what the music and optimism of that era was like.
Honestly, they just don’t create music like that anymore.
There teeth Eternal love, which truly brings us together, and it boils down to three easy words.
Interestingly, love wasn’t the foundation for Captain and Tennille’s relationship. They ended up divorced nearly 40 years later. This reminds us that the paradigm of lasting love can be pretty fragile and often temporary.
So… Happy Valentine’s Day?
The Bible, however, has a different take. Here, love is eternal, and it’s summed up with three simple words.
Let’s love one another.
Seems simple enough, right? But it’s really not that easy. Because, well, we’re all a mix of good and bad. And when we focus on ourselves, even a little, we struggle to love others in the way that Christ urged us to. So, let’s delve a bit deeper into what He meant.
What’s the difference between loving your neighbor and loving each other?
So, what’s the distinction between “love one another” and “love your neighbor”?
We often think of neighbors as those who live next door. Yet, Jesus tackled this question with the parable of the Good Samaritan. In his story, he illustrated that a neighbor is anyone in need who comes into our lives. Thus, loving your neighbor is about how you treat those outside of God’s family.
But “each other” refers more specifically to believers.
In the New Testament, “one another” frequently pertains to fellow believers, our spiritual family. This leads to one of many reasons why having a church family is essential.
What does loving each other actually involve?
In the New Testament, there are about 50 specifications regarding how we should treat one another—guidelines that clarify what authentic love looks like. It’s worthwhile to check them out; they’re all gathered in one easy spot. Take a look.
It’s no surprise that the most commonly repeated command is: love each other.
When you ponder how to embody this, especially since some folks can be challenging to love, the subsequent instructions can guide you. Things like:
- serve each other
- forgive one another
- encourage each other
- pray for each other
These aren’t just lofty ideals; they require action. As we reflect and pray, the Holy Spirit might even bring specific individuals to mind.
Or think about this passage from Romans 12:
“Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; honor one another above yourselves… Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality” (Romans 12:9-13).
There’s a wealth of practical teaching condensed into just a few verses. Notably, hospitality is something many of us overlook.
This kind of love isn’t theoretical; it shows up in your schedule, your home, your meals, and more.
Why did Jesus call this command “new”?
In John 13:34, Jesus expresses something that might seem a bit confusing at first.
“A new command I give you: Love one another.”
After all, people have been called to love in the Old Testament. The law itself is based on loving God and each other. So what makes this new?
“…Even if I love you.”
That’s the essence of the new aspect.
Jesus didn’t merely tell His disciples what to do; He demonstrated how to do it. For three years, He lived among them, served them, corrected them, and showed them patience and love.
Shortly after washing their feet—yes, even Judas’ feet—on the night of betrayal and His imminent death, He gave them this command.
Please love as I love you.
Costs and witnesses
This sets an incredible standard. Our ability to love this way largely hinges on how deeply we realize we are loved. How loved are we?.
Spending time daily in God’s presence, soaking up His Word, and embracing His love transforms us. Only then can we love each other genuinely, setting us apart from the world.
That’s precisely the objective.
“By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).
Before the world can witness our love for our neighbors, it must first recognize our love for each other.
The harsh reality
Let’s face it: some fellow believers can be tough to love. Yeah, they can be quite annoying. I know I get irritated at times. And sometimes, we are those people.
No one finds loving easy all the time. Thus, we lean on the Holy Spirit to cultivate qualities that make us more lovable and loving. As Hannah Williamson stated, the practice of loving one another serves as “a rigorous training ground for loving the wider world.”
In essence, loving one another equips us to love our neighbors. But before all that— The lost must witness our love for one another.
So, let’s strive to follow our Lord, drawing nearer to Him, and fulfilling this beautiful mission of loving one another more and more.
That love truly binds us all.
I think St. Valentine would be proud.
