Love One Another
READ
Earlier this week, I logged onto social media, and within seconds I saw a video of a Christian with a sizable online following speaking "truth" in such a hateful way. The way they spoke about people who disagreed with them seemed nothing like how Jesus would talk to or about someone. The disgust and vitriol were palpable. And in the comments below, fellow Christians were affirming this behavior and even being hateful as well.
This is not an uncommon experience in our society. Rhetoric has gotten heated over the last decade or so, and Christians have not been exempt from this behavior. The way we talk about people we disagree with—politically, religiously, or just in general—has given many Christians a bad name.
And yet, Jesus is not shocked by our culture. He knew about 2026 before we could even imagine it. And the encouragement we find in our passage today is just as relevant now as it was when Jesus originally spoke these words to His disciples the night Judas betrayed Him.
Take a moment to read John 13:34-35:
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
REFLECT
In John 13-17, we're given a transcript of Jesus's final words to His disciples before He was arrested. He knew that His time was coming, and so He was giving them specific instructions on what they should do. In these verses, He's telling them what the world should know them by.
And contrary to what many might guess, it's not good theology or the ability to win arguments. It's not being the smartest or the most successful in the room. No, Jesus gave them the most radical mission: the world would know them by their love for one another.
Now, this is not some easy, fluffy love, as they were given the task to love one another like Christ loved them. Keep in mind, Christ was about to give His very life for them in just a few days' time, so this love that He is describing is costly, counter-cultural, and life-giving.
So while the world is known for its bickering and divisive posture toward just about anyone and anything that holds a different opinion, Jesus's words are an invitation to a better way of living, and it looks nothing like what we see on social media. Sure, like everyone else, our lives might look the same on the surface. Many of us have full calendars with jobs and families and responsibilities to tend to. But how we move about our days and exist in the very spaces He's placed us can make all the difference:
That neighbor who has the flag you disagree with—love them like Christ loved you.
That fellow Christian who voted differently than you—love them deeply.
The coworker who is walking through suffering—show up for them and love them sacrificially.
That fellow brother or sister in Christ who gets on your last nerve—love them, because love covers a multitude of sins.
And the good news is we don't do this out of our own goodness. No, we remember Christ's deep love for us on the cross and how He overcame death so that you and I could claim His righteousness instead of our own. We remember that one day, He's promised to right every wrong, and in the meantime, He's invited us to take part in His redemptive work. The love we give is not from our own strength, but from Christ Himself.
And so we love one another. We love big. We love when it's inconvenient. And we love in ways that make a weary world take notice, so they can see the goodness of Jesus.
RESPOND
Take a moment to process what God might be leading you to do in light of what you read.
Take a few moments to think of God's deep love for you. Is it easy or hard to believe that the God of the universe loves you deeply and is inviting you on His mission to love others?
Think of the one to three people you spend the most time with. What would it look like to love them like Christ loved you?
Who is someone difficult in your life? Spend a moment praying and asking God to reveal ways you can love them radically.
REST
Take a moment to rest in God's presence and consider one thing you can take away from your time reading, then close your devotional experience by praying:
God, 1 John 4 tells us that You are love. Your Word tells us that love isn't merely a characteristic of You—it's who You are. Lord, help me wrap my mind around how much You love me and all people. And God, forgive me for the many times I feel justified in not loving people because I value being right over showing them Your love. Would You open my eyes to people who need to experience Your deep love for them through me? And would You grant me the courage and commitment to choose love when my flesh wants to choose something else? Lord, I love You. Help me love others well. In Jesus's name, amen.
Port City writer Brittany Salmon wrote today’s devotional.