December 12
The Final Command:
Love One Another
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.”
Daily Steps
Having been equipped with truth (Day 347) and grounded in the Word (Day 346), the new believer receives the most vital and distinguishing Final Command—the defining characteristic of Christian life: Love one another. This is the one enduring virtue (Day 342) that authenticates every other claim of faith and discipleship (Day 325) to the outside world.
The peace in this principle is found in visible testimony:
The New Command: Christ declares, A new command I give you: Love one another. While the command to love God and neighbor was old, this is "new" because it is now defined by the ultimate standard of Christ's sacrificial love (The Ultimate Love, Day 218). It moves beyond human affection to divine agape love.
The Standard of Love: The measure is absolute: As I have loved you, so you must love one another. Christ's love was self-giving, radical, and constant, demonstrated even while we were sinners (redemption, Day 225). This sets the benchmark for our mutual care (Day 324) and fellowship (Day 329).
The Sign of Discipleship: This love is the visible testimony to the world: By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. Our unity (Day 323) and generosity (Day 330) prove the power of the Gospel far more powerfully than any spoken word or doctrinal statement. This is the clearest public witness (Day 331).
Your peace is secured by visible testimony. Embrace The Final Commands today by identifying one person in your church family or life who is difficult to love. Commit to showing them the same self-giving love that Christ showed you, allowing this supremacy of love (Day 342) to be your ultimate sign of discipleship.
Reflective Question
If your neighbors or co-workers were asked to identify the sign of your discipleship, would they point to the love you show to your fellow believers? How can you reflect the quality of Christ's love (As I have loved you) in your actions today?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, I confess my natural inability to maintain sacrificial love for others. I thank You for the new command and the perfect standard of Christ's love for me. I pray for the Holy Spirit's power to love one another as Christ loved me. Secure my peace today in this visible testimony, and let my love be the unmistakable sign that I am Your disciple. Amen.
