John 13:34-35 "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." These words were spoken by Jesus at the last supper, where He instituted the New Covenant or New Testament using the symbols of the Passover meal. Read Matthew 26:26-29. In the same way the Old Testament was known for the ten commandments, the New Testament should be known for this new commandment. We are to love others in the way that Jesus loved us. When we do, all people will know that we are His disciples or followers. This is the main or primary characteristic by which Christians should be known.
1 John 3:23 "And this is the commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment." John interprets this new commandment in a two-fold manner: we believe on the grace that Jesus has offered to us, and we love others with the same grace that He has shown us. Let us see how He loved us and showed us grace.
John 3:16-17 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved." Jesus paid the penalty for our sins. He did not condemn us. This is how we love others. We tell them that Jesus has paid the penalty for the sins of their entire lifetime, and is not counting their sins against them. When people believe this, they are born of God, or born again.
2 Corinthians 5:19 "that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing (counting) their trespasses (sins) to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation."
John 8:1-12 Read this passage. Jesus forgives the woman caught in the midst of adultery. This was a present sin that Jesus did not count against the woman. He did not condemn her for the sin she had just committed.
John 8:12 "Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world (love demonstrated through grace). He who follows me (in not condemning people but offering them grace through what Jesus did on the cross) shall not walk in darkness (judging and condemning others), but have the light of life." This is what makes us a disciple.
John 8:31-32 "Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, "If you abide in my Word (teaching of grace which He just demonstrated), you are my disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth (which is grace) and the truth (grace) will set you free." A disciple is one who learns from another and follows his example.
If loving someone is not holding their sins against them, what is hate?
1 John 2:8-11 "Again, a new commandment I write to you, which thing is true in Him and in you, because the darkness (judgment and condemnation) is passing away, and the true light (grace) is already shining. He who says he is in the light (grace) and hates his brother (counts his sins against him and condemns him) is in darkness (condemnation) until now. He who loves his brother (gives him grace because of what Jesus did) abides in the light (grace), and there is no cause for stumbling in him. But he who hates his brother (condemns him for his sins) is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes."
1 John 1:5-6 "This then is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light (love demonstrated through grace) and in Him is no darkness (condemnation) at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him (share in who God is, or say that we represent Him; He is love), and walk in darkness (holding sins against people and condemning them) we lie and do not practice the truth (which is grace)."
John 13:36 - John 14:4 Starting with verse 37 "Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow you now? I will lay down my life for your sake. Jesus answered him, Will you lay down your life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto you, the rooster will not crow until you have denied me three times. Let not your heart be troubled. You believe in God. Believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know." Jesus tells Peter about future sins that he is going to commit in the next twelve hours, when Peter denies Jesus three times, but Jesus does not condemn him or hold it against him. He tells him to not let his heart be troubled. Jesus reassures Peter of his eternal security, and that He is going to prepare a mansion for Peter in heaven. These words were Jesus' direct response to Peter's forthcoming sin or failure. This is a demonstration that God is not counting our present or future sins against us. Praise the Lord!
Luke 22:54-62 Jesus was able to watch as Peter denied Him three times. Jesus looked at Peter with compassion, even in the midst of His trial before the ones who would crucify Him. Peter did let his heart be troubled; he wept bitterly. Sin hurt Peter emotionally. Our sin has consequences in this earthly realm. But these last two passage present a beautiful picture. Even though our sin hurts us and others, and is to be avoided, God is not counting our sins against us.
Keith Oliver
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