The proper meaning of "love one another"

[stevethewriter]

John 13:34-35

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

This is one of my favourite scriptures, but I also believe it's one of the most misinterpreted.

I've heard various accounts of how broad "love one another" actually is.

I've seen it used in any number of arguments to suggest homosexual relationships are ok, sex outside of marriage is ok and that we should be tolerant and accepting of other religions because of this verse.

After his initial statement, Jesus expands on this, most importantly by saying to not only love one another, but to love one another as I have loved you.

To me that suggests that all love should be Christ centered. In other words, the way in which we love and respond to people must be a replication of how Christ did the same.

Unfortunately "love one another" is a rather vague and unspecific term. Even though you can get an idea of it based on Christ lived and Paul taught in the scriptures, there's still many situations that seem to ask the question: How does this scripture apply here?

The Bible does not ever endorse or approve of sin so it's obvious there were meant to be limitations on Christ's command, but then when you bring the concept of "unconditional love" into the mix it seems to muddy the waters a little bit.

I know you can both love someone AND disapprove of their lifestyle, which seems to be inline with both Christ's words here and the idea of unconditional love, but that still doesn't offer a complete explanation on how far "love one another" really goes.

[nebula]

John 13:34-35

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Before anything else, understand the audience. Jesus was speaking to His disciples. "One another" is the people in the room.

[OneLight]

God sent His Son so we (humans) may find salvation through Him. This is the love we need to have toward each other. To care for the lost as Jesus cared for them, to tell then the truth despite of their beliefs, in His love, not our flesh. The problem, as I see it, is the world has twisted His love to mean acceptance and tolerance. This is no the real truth, but a partial truth. We need to accept people for who they are, tolerate them enough to talk with them, but tell them the truth of their sin with the sins result, while doing so in the same love Jesus did, not bashing them ,creating a wall.

[gdemoss]

Lev 19:17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

Gary

[gdemoss]

I have since figured out that the love of God, passes understanding, the scripture says it does, and who am I to argue with that?

I believe I understand the point of your entire post and am tracking with you but just to clarify I wanted to add that Ephesians is teaching that the love of God is not something that can be obtained by knowledge/understanding but through experiencing it as it is multidimensional in nature. It is something that must happen through us as a channel and preformed by the Holy Spirit and therefore we gain insight unto the depth, breadth, width and height of it that simply cannot be explained in words but experienced in practice. I believe that is what I hear you saying deep down Mike....

Gary

[other one]

The basis of love is putting the other person's needs over your own... that's what Jesus did for us.

[Sevenseas]

I thought I knew what "Love one another meant"......... but the scripture in Eph says.... that we may know what is the length, depth and high, to know the love of Christ ....

Which passes understanding..............

I have since figured out that the love of God, passes understanding, the scripture says it does, and who am I to argue with that?

So, the best I can do, is to let the love of God be shed abroad in my spirit by the Holy Ghost, and walk more and more in that, and learn more and more being corrected and instructed along the way....

My hope that during this life long process, I don't hurt anyone that it can't be fixed, and I don't offend anyone with word or deed that can't be explained or made better..........

God's Love takes not thought done to it, is not self inflated, does not take thought of it's own need........ To be perfect like our Father, as Jesus instructed, Love is the key to that, and Love works faith.. More love, the greater your faith will work.... from moving mole hills to telling mountains to get out of your way..

Jesus Is Lord.

Love also means forgiveness Mike and then forgetting about it

[GoldenEagle]

John 13:34-35

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

This isn't a new commandment. You'll find the 'Love your neighbor as yourself' in the book of Leviticus passed down by God to Moses.

Are you referring to Lev. 19:17?

Lev 19:17 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.

Gary

If so as Gary quoted it says not to hate or sing against your brother. The implication is to get along. Jesus, as usual, took it a step further saying that we were to put the interests (love your neighbor) of others before our very own (as ourselves).

This is the heart of the matter.

Jesus is Lord! He's an amazing Teacher, wonderful Savior, and mighty Redeemer! My Boss is amazing!

[GoldenEagle]

John 13:34-35

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

This is one of my favourite scriptures, but I also believe it's one of the most misinterpreted.

I've heard various accounts of how broad "love one another" actually is.

I've seen it used in any number of arguments to suggest homosexual relationships are ok, sex outside of marriage is ok and that we should be tolerant and accepting of other religions because of this verse.

After his initial statement, Jesus expands on this, most importantly by saying to not only love one another, but to love one another as I have loved you.

To me that suggests that all love should be Christ centered. In other words, the way in which we love and respond to people must be a replication of how Christ did the same.

Unfortunately "love one another" is a rather vague and unspecific term. Even though you can get an idea of it based on Christ lived and Paul taught in the scriptures, there's still many situations that seem to ask the question: How does this scripture apply here?

The Bible does not ever endorse or approve of sin so it's obvious there were meant to be limitations on Christ's command, but then when you bring the concept of "unconditional love" into the mix it seems to muddy the waters a little bit.

I know you can both love someone AND disapprove of their lifestyle, which seems to be inline with both Christ's words here and the idea of unconditional love, but that still doesn't offer a complete explanation on how far "love one another" really goes.

Great thoughts. I would say love someone to the point that it does not cause you to fall into sin against God's Word.

[gdemoss]

If so as Gary quoted it says not to hate or sing against your brother. The implication is to get along. Jesus, as usual, took it a step further saying that we were to put the interests (love your neighbor) of others before our very own (as ourselves).

This is the heart of the matter.

Jon, the implication of Lev 19:17 is not get along but instead not to harbor hate in your heart against another but to rebuke them openly that you might gain them back. It cross references better with Matt 18:15.

Gary