We have all heard the phrase, “Love One Another.” In this article, we will explore what it truly means to love one another.
“Love suffers long and is kind; love envies not; love flaunts not itself and is not puffed up, does not behave itself improperly, seeks not its own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; rejoices not in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
The New Testament repeatedly commands us to love one another. Jesus, in His Last Words before His crucifixion, initiated this new commandment. The Apostles Paul, Peter, and John later reiterated this commandment in their letters to the churches.
To get tips on how to feel loved, please read “10 Ways to Feel Loved.”
Jesus’ New Commandment
John 13:34- 35; 15:17 –(Jesus said),“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you …By this all men will know that you are My disciples.”
When believers demonstrate love in tangible ways to their fellow believers, all people, even those who do not share our faith, will recognize us as Jesus’ disciples. (see also, 1 John 4:11)
Love One Another
1 John 3:11 – “For this is the message that you heard from the beginning: We should love one another.”
The Apostle John wrote about sixty years after Jesus spoke His Last Words. He called Jesus’ command to love one another “the message that you heard from the beginning.” (see also, 2 John 1:5)
Love Fulfills the Commandments
Galatians 5:14 — “For the entire law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
The more detailed Ten Commandments, as given to Moses, wouldn’t be necessary if people loved their neighbor as themselves. People who love naturally fulfill the commandments’ demands (see also, Mark 12:28-31; Romans 13:8)
Love is Patient
Ephesians 4:2 — “With all humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another in love.”
Love requires patience and bearing with others’ weaknesses. Someone with a humble attitude will realize they have weaknesses that others endure.
God Provides Love
1 Thessalonians 3:12 — “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all men, even as we do for you.”
We need the Lord’s help to fulfill the commandment to love one another. He alone provides us with the strength we need. Because the Apostle Paul showed God’s love, he used his evident love for the Thessalonians as an example.
Love from the Spirit
1 Thessalonians 4:9 – “As concerning brotherly love, you do not need me to write to you. For you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.”
The Apostle Paul had taught the Thessalonians Jesus’ teachings about loving each other, plus they had received teaching as the fruit of the Holy Spirit who indwelled them (see also, Galatians 5:22-23; Hebrews 13:1)
Love Obeys
1 Peter 1:22; 4:8 “Since your souls have been purified by obedience to the truth through the Spirit unto a genuine brotherly love, love one another deeply with a pure heart.” “Above all things, have unfailing love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.”
Obedience to Jesus’ command purifies the believer’s heart. That enables us to love our siblings in Christ better. We cover others’ sins by not unnecessarily exposing them, realizing our sinfulness.
God’s Love
1 John 3:16 – “By this we know the love of God: that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”
The ultimate example of love is when Jesus died for our sins on the cross. God didn’t just say He loves us; sending His Son to die for us demonstrated it. (see also, John 15:13)
Sacrificial Love
1 John 3:17-18 – “Whoever … sees his brother in need, but closes his heart of compassion from him, how can the love of God remain in him? My little children, let us love not in word and speech, but in action and truth.
Jesus’ example teaches us to live sacrificially for our fellow believers. When we have enough food, we can share it with the needy. (see also,1 John 4:7, 21)
God’s Command to Believe on Jesus
1 John 3:23 – “And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another as He commanded us.”
Because God sent Jesus to die in our place, He has promised to save everyone who believes in Him. God’s invitation—His commandment to believe in Him—for salvation is open to all.
