“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34

Social media is evidence that people want to be connected. It’s in our DNA to interact with one another; to seek community. Getting together face-to-face is even better. We love to get together for a meal, or to play golf, or just hang out. We are social beings made to interact with one another.

Of course, God knows this, so it should be no surprise that the Bible is filled with “one another” commands that provide guidelines for Christian conduct and for how to be effective witnesses for Christ. Chief among God’s “one another” commands is the command to love one another.

Interestingly, in the verse at the beginning of this devotion, Jesus begins by saying “A new command I give you…” It was always God’s command that we should love one another. When Jesus says He’s giving them a new command, He was giving them a fuller understanding of what it means to love one another.

It was the day before He would be crucified and Jesus gathered His disciples and washed their feet, “showing them the full extent of his love.” (John 13:1) “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example [of love] that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:12-15)

Jesus showed His love for them through service and sacrifice, and He tells them that’s the kind of love will set them apart as Christians and be the foundation of their witness to the world.  “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35).

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” (Galatians 5:13)