In John 13:34-35, Jesus give his disciples (and us) a new commandment:
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. (NLT)
Jesus says this commandment is “new” commandment, and the Greek word (καινός) means “new of a different kind.” How is this commandment different from the “great” commandment to love God (Deut. 6:5) and the “royal” commandment to love our neighbor (Jas. 2:8)?
Jesus’ commandment is new, because it carries new significance:
“Your love . . . will prove . . . that you are my disciples.”
Jesus says that loving our brothers and sisters in Christ is the strongest apologetic for Christianity that we can offer. Just as Jesus’ life demonstrated that the Father had sent him, so our love for one another demonstrates that Jesus has sent us.
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