If you are a follower of Christ, you are aware of the many “one another” passages that are in the Scriptures. If not, just do a google search, and you will find every one of them listed for you. When we really take the time to read over these passages, we will see how hard it really is to follow them. Our tendency (or maybe it’s just mine) is to think of ourself first rather than someone else. Jesus knows that about us. He gave his disciples many instructions before He was crucified. The one He gave in the upper room is the determiner of all the rest.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” [John 13:34.]

What does it mean to love one another? Our culture tells us that love is all about us. We are to “love the one you’re with,” or seek to satisfy your own need above all else. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of finding our own happiness. We want what we want and will do whatever we can to get it. Love is not about me, my wants, or my desires. Love is about Jesus. He gives us the definition of what love should look like, “just as I have loved you.” How did Jesus love? Before we look at how He loved, don’t fall for the temptation to say, “well, I’m not Jesus!” This is an excuse for our lack of effort in following the Lord Jesus’ command here. No excuses, let’s look to Jesus!

“Surely, he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. He was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. The Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted.”                   [Isaiah 53:4a, 5, 7a.]

“And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.” [Philippians 2:8.]

“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.” [Romans 5:8-9.]

“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” [John 15:13.]

This only scratches the surface of Jesus’ love. His love was sacrificial. His love was directed to his Father and to others. This is the love he is calling us to within His family. We, as followers of Christ, are in his family, both locally and universally. It’s important for us to realize how our lives intersect. Each of us brings a vital part to the body of Christ. Every part is needed in order to reflect the love of Christ to the watching world. But the world is not the only one watching. We have to remember our Father, our Brother, the angels, and other believers are watching us. Are we reflecting the love of Jesus? When we seek to love as Jesus has called us to love, are there any benefits? Yes, my friend, there are benefits; but there are sacrifices to make as we love one another like Jesus.

The greatest sacrifice is time. It takes time to be available to build a relationship with others. There are phone calls, texts, emails, visits, and errand running that may be needed in your relationship. The truth is that God gives us time and calls us to use it wisely. What better way to use it than to build relationships! God uses these relationships to grow us to be more like Jesus. We can learn from one another, regardless of age. Do you see the benefit? Becoming more like Christ is a huge benefit.

The family of God is large, so there may be only a one-time connection with some. Perhaps, you belong to a large church which makes it hard to know many people. The solution for that is prayer. You are part of the family and need to be praying for the family. I’m grateful for an ABF that gives out a prayer sheet each Sunday. I don’t know everyone in my ABF; but if they have a request on the sheet, I’m praying for it each week. I find I’m able to approach someone I really haven’t spent any time with in order to ask about their prayer request. Another perk at my church is the list of members sent out each week with the pastor’s blog. This list is given for prayer. I’ve now prayed for so many that I’ve never met. It keeps me in the mix, so to speak.

Another great benefit of being involved in one another’s lives is blessing. It is a blessing to see how God changes others and myself. It is a blessing to see how God has answered prayer. What a joy to be a part of giving praise to God as e works in our relationships! When it gets hard, then we look to Jesus. He’s the one who has modeled perfect love for us!