John 15:12-17 Love: the Mark of a Christian Community

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his beloved*. You are My beloved* if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you beloveds, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you. You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. This I command you, that you love one another.” John 15:12-17

* NASB translates as friend.

Background

In the previous passage, Jesus taught the disciples that their fellowship and dependance on Him after His ascension to heaven will continue through the Holy Spirit. This fellowship with the Spirit will influence the way they relate with one another as Jesus said, “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.” Here, Jesus taught them through His own example of what love means.

Observation

1. Jesus said in an emphatic manner, “This is My commandment, that you love one another” stating the distinctive feature of a community that belongs to God. Those who profess to know Christ must carry this distinctive by putting the interests of others before their own.

2. Jesus proceeded to define what love means: The most evidential and unmistakable expression of true love is to lay down one’s life for the sake of his friends: “Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” In other words, to serve another expecting nothing in return, not grudgingly but willingly.

3. Jesus added, “You are My beloveds if you do what I command you.” The distinctive of a relationship between God and man is obedience on man’s part, which is the fear of God. By virtue of the fact that God is supreme, man’s relationship with Him is not egalitarian. It is based on the foundation of obedience to the commandments of God that men become His beloveds.

4.  Then Jesus taught about trust within God’s community. He contrasted between slaves and beloveds where the slave does not know what his master is doing; there is no relationship other than a transaction of instructions in return for sustenance. However, Jesus had called them as His beloved and withheld nothing from them; He has told them everything that the Father has revealed to Him.

5.  Overlaying this community of love is a vision, an appointment to bear fruit; to project the God’s goodness and saving grace into the world. The mission of the church is to be the face of Christ to the community around us so that they could experience perfect love: to serve without expecting anything in return as well as the culture of trust within the church community. This fruit or value system of servitude and mutual trust will be the distinctive hallmark of the Christian faith: “… your fruit would remain.”  Jesus said, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:35).

6.  As the christian community bears the distinctive of Christ in selfless service and mutual trust, prayers will be heard and answered: “so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. This I command you, that you love one another.”

Truth

1.  United by chemistry or by Christ? The Chinese word “缘“ talks about being destined as friends and looking out for one another. People are continually scouring the crowd for those whom they feel can be their friends. A common culture, interests, and chemistry are considerations when coming to making friends. However, in God’s community, we are united because we have the same Spirit. Apostle Paul said,

“Show tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all” (Ephesians 4:2-5).

We are held together not by a blood bond, a common need or culture but by a Spirit-bond under one God and Father. Hence, we are brothers and sisters not of blood but of the Spirit under one Father.

A healthy community united by Christ will project the goodness of Christ to the world and draw others in. Evangelism is the result of a healthy and loving community.

2.  The Spirit unselfishly reveals all things that are vital for our growth. Jesus said, “for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.” Whenever we open our heart to the Spirit, He tells all things, and He does not withhold anything from His children. He tells us what we should do to secure our future, the future of our children, and our nation; what we should do to expand His Kingdom; what we should do to solve difficult problems.

Similarly, members of the community should also speak the truth to one another in the spirit of grace. If we see a brother or a sister under a bondage of a certain sin, we should restore him in truth and love. Bondages could include depression, anger, addiction, and deception. Paul said,

Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass (bondage of sin), you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:1-2

The one being helped need to be open to the admonishment of another in the spirit of mutual trust.

3.  God answers the prayers of a united and trusting community.  Jesus said, “whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you. This I command you, that you love one another.” Even as the Father answers all requests that are presented in faith, His ears are open to the prayers of a community united under Him. Psalm 133 says that God commands a blessing to a community that is united in love. Jesus said, “Again I say to you, that if two of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 18:19). The prayers of a united community are more effective than that of one who prays alone.

Application

1.  Look out for one another as members of a family under God, especially if you belong to a support group. Seek to understand their current struggles in their family or work and pray for them. Though members are not related biologically to one another but we are related by one Spirit.

2.  Build mutual trust within the community by being a keen listener, who is genuinely interested in what the person is going through. If you find the person that you are listening to opening himself to you, you could speak encouragement and truth in humility and grace.

3.  Participate the church’s prayer meeting. By praying together, God begin to work within the community, transforming hearts and pouring out His blessings.

Dear Lord, thank You for installing me into a community that is loving and trusting. Use me to build Your church by making me an inspiration of love and commitment to others. I pray that our church will continue to project the goodness of God to the world and draw people in. Equip me as an instrument in the church’s outreach programmes. As we worship You in love and unity, pour down Your blessings upon Your church. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.