Jesus called his commandment of love “a new commandment.” Why new? The old law said, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” referring to everyone. But Jesus spoke of loving “your brother” — your fellow Christian. And the measure changed: not “as yourself,” but “as I have loved you.” The world never knew real love until Jesus lived among us. “As yourself” leaves self and others side by side; “as I have loved you” leads to self-sacrifice.
This lesson reaches very practical points. It is not enough to speak eloquently, teach brilliantly, or even give generously. Without love, all is empty. Paul says if he spoke with angelic tongues, understood all mysteries, or gave his body to be burned — and had not love — he would be nothing.
“Love is patient.” It bears with others’ faults. “Love is kind.” It remains kind even when met with unkindness. Our kindness is often spasmodic, shown only when we feel like it or when nothing crosses us. But nothing ever stopped Christ’s kindness — and nothing should check ours.
“Love is not rude.” It never forgets itself or treats others with contempt. Nothing in Christ’s life is more striking than his unfailing respect for every person he met. He loved them; therefore he honored them. If we shared his regard for human souls, we would not act rudely toward anyone.
A story is told of a woman who discovered that nearly everyone in a New England town belonged to a quiet “Take Heed Society,” pledged to three rules: speak no unkind words, think no unkind thoughts, and do no unkind deeds. The society met nowhere, had no officers, and assessed no dues. If someone broke the pledge, he fined himself whatever he could afford and gave it to the first needy person he met. Such a society in a family, school, or church might help bring the law of love into daily life.
“Love is not easily provoked.” Yet nothing is more common than irritability. People become angry at trifles — objects, accidents, misunderstandings. Many confess bad temper as if it were merely an inherited trait or harmless weakness. But it is a disfiguring blemish. Jesus, the perfect model of living, was never provoked. Amid persecution, injustice, and wrong, he never lost his peace. When he commands us to love one another as he loved us, this calmness is part of the pattern.
Loving as Christ loves makes us easier to live and work with. Some people are zealous and energetic — but can never work with others. They must work alone, like a horse that cannot pull in a team. Christ’s love teaches a better way. We must think of others with whom we labor.
Marriage illustrates this. Two formerly separate lives cannot each insist on having its own way. Either one yields to the other, or the two blend into one life. True marriage is the blending — two souls with one purpose. Love unites them so that each gives up self for the other. The same principle should prevail in Christian work. Headstrong individualism must be softened by love.
Jesus sent his disciples out two by two. One worker may be strong where another is weak; together they complement each other. Paul speaks of Christians as “yoke-fellows” — two sharing the same yoke, drawing steadily in the same direction. None of us should insist on our own way. In united counsel there is wisdom. Even in prayer Jesus says two agreeing together have special power.
The Christian who always seeks prominence has not learned Christ’s spirit, for Christ came not to be served but to serve. Love does not demand first place; it works faithfully anywhere. It seeks counsel from others and does not assert its own opinion as the only wise one. It is content to be overlooked if only Christ is honored. It is patient with the faults of fellow workers and strives to keep the Master as the true leader.
“Love one another — as I have loved you.” If we love thus, we will sacrifice anything that Christ’s name may not suffer dishonor. Christ built his kingdom by loving and giving himself; we must do the same. We are saved only by his sacrificial love, and we can serve him and others only through sacrificial service.
“As I have loved you” means loving to the uttermost. We must give our lives for the brethren as Christ gave his life for us. We must stop at no cost or effort in helping and lifting others. Christian love is not affected by a person’s past or present condition. To love as Christ loved is to love the least and worst until they are lifted up and transformed.
To love as Christ loved is to take his love into our own lives — to live gently, patiently, humbly, kindly, forgivingly, and self-denyingly. This is not easy — but Christ’s love was not easy. Much that we call “love” is merely pleasant feeling or gilded selfishness. True love sacrifices, bears, forgives, and endures that others may be blessed.
That is the love that we are to have in our homes, in our friendships, in our business relations, in our companionships. Yes, it costs — you must give up things and pleasures you greatly want. But nothing is truly love that will not sacrifice.
J. R. Miller (1840-1912) was a pastor and former editorial superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication from 1880 to 1911. His works are now in the public domain. This is an edited version of his original.
