What does it mean to love one another?

Answer

In John 13:34, Jesus taught, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Then He added, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (verse 35). How do we do this? What does it mean to love one another?

The term “one another” in these verses refers to fellow believers. A distinguishing characteristic of being a follower of Christ is a profound, genuine love for brothers and sisters in Christ. The apostle John reminds us of this truth elsewhere: “He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister” «And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.», (1 John 4:21).

By issuing this command, Jesus did something unprecedented in the world—He established a community distinguished by one thing: love. Various groups exist in the world, and they define themselves in numerous ways: by skin color, by attire, by shared hobbies, by educational background, and so on. Some groups have distinctive appearances like tattoos and piercings; others follow dietary restrictions; while some wear specific headgear—the ways people classify themselves are limitless. However, the church is exceptional. For the first and only time in history, Jesus formed a community whose defining characteristic is love. Skin color is irrelevant. Mother tongue is inconsequential. There are no regulations regarding food, clothing, or head coverings. Followers of Christ are recognized by their affection for one another.

The early church exemplified the kind of love Jesus was referring to. In Jerusalem, there were individuals from various regions of the known world (Acts 2:9-11). Those who believed came together and promptly began addressing each other’s needs: “All the believers were together and had everything in common.”They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need” (Acts 2:44-45). This was love in action, and it certainly left an impression on the people of that city.

Jesus’ statements in John 13:34–35 raise a couple of other questions that may be worth addressing. First, how does Jesus love? He loves unconditionally «But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. », (Romans 5:8), sacrificially «For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.», (2 Corinthians 5:21), with forgiveness «and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.», (Ephesians 4:32), and eternally (Romans 8:38-39). Simultaneously, Jesus’ love is holy—marked by transcendent moral purity—because He is holy «For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; », (Hebrews 7:26). The pinnacle of Christ’s incredible love for us is His death on the cross, burial, and bodily resurrection (1 John 4:9-10). Believers are called to love one another in the same way.

Second, how then can the believer in Christ love as Christ loved? The believer in Christ has the Holy Spirit dwelling within him (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). By obeying tThe Spirit, through the Word of God, enables the believer to love as Christ does. This love is unconditional, sacrificial, and forgiving towards fellow believers, extending beyond to friends, family members, coworkers, and even enemies (Ephesians 5:18–6:4; Galatians 5:16, 22–23). Christ’s love, manifested through the believer, differs from the self-centered, unforgiving “love” of the flesh. First Corinthians 13:4–8 beautifully illustrates the nature of Christ’s love expressed through those who walk in the Spirit.

Naturally, people do not exhibit love in the manner described in 1 Corinthians 13. To love in this way, a heart transformation is necessary. Recognizing one’s sinfulness before God, acknowledging Christ’s sacrifice for forgiveness, and accepting Him as Savior are crucial steps. Through this, forgiveness and eternal life are received, and one becomes a partaker of the divine nature «whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. », (2 Peter 1:4). In Christ, the believer experiences genuine love from God and gains the ability to love as Christ does. This newfound capacity includes the unconditional, sacrificial, forgiving, eternal, and holy love of God «and hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. », (Romans 5:5).

Loving one another means loving fellow believers as Christ loves us. Those who love as Christ does, empowered by the Holy Spirit, will demonstrate that they are disciples, or students, of Jesus Christ.