Click to Play
0 plays
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”
— John 13:34–35 (KJV)
Let us look at what the Word of God says. These words were not spoken by a prophet, nor by an apostle, but by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, on the eve of His crucifixion. He introduces something He calls *a new commandment*. Not a suggestion. Not an option. A commandment.
This song simply repeats what Jesus said:
> “A new commandment I give unto you
> That you love one another, as I have loved you.”
The heart of this teaching is this:
The mark of true discipleship is not doctrine alone, not miracles, not knowledge, but Christlike love expressed among believers.
The associated scriptures reinforce and deepen this command:
The song is simply the Word of God put into our mouths. It is a sung command. It calls us not merely to admire love, but to *obey* love.
---
John 13 takes us into the upper room, the night before the crucifixion. Jesus is with His disciples, celebrating the Passover. Judas has already resolved to betray Him. The shadow of the cross lies over everything.
John tells us:
> “Now before the feast of the passover, when Jesus knew that his hour was come…” (John 13:1)
Jesus *knew* His hour had come. He knew He was about to depart from this world to the Father. What does a man talk about when he knows he is about to die? Only what is most important.
In that setting, Jesus does two decisive things:
1. He washes the disciples’ feet (John 13:4–15)
The Lord of glory takes the place of the lowest servant. This is not sentiment. It is an acted parable. He shows them what love *does*.
2. He gives the new commandment (John 13:34–35)
After Judas goes out to betray Him (John 13:30–31), Jesus speaks of His glorification and then says:
“A new commandment I give unto you…”
He is forming a new covenant community, defined by a new standard: *His own love.*
Ephesians 5:2 and Colossians 3:14 were written later by Paul to established churches.
“Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us…”
“Above all these things put on charity [love], which is the bond of perfectness.”
So the setting is this:
Jesus, about to die, gives His disciples the central law of the new covenant.
Paul, building and correcting churches, repeatedly brings them back to the same central law: *love like Christ*.
---
### 1. “New commandment” – καινὴν ἐντολήν (*kainēn entolēn*)
In John 13:34, the phrase is:
> “ἐντολὴν καινὴν δίδωμι ὑμῖν”
> “A new commandment I give unto you”
Jesus is not adding a fresh version of an old rule; He is introducing a *new kind* of commandment. Under the old covenant, the standard was:
> “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.” (Leviticus 19:18)
Under the new covenant, the standard is higher:
> “That ye love one another; as I have loved you…”
This is not love as we love ourselves, but love as Christ loved us—sacrificial, self-giving, covenant love.
### 2. “Love” – ἀγάπη (*agapē*) / ἀγαπάω (*agapaō*)
Across the three passages, the dominant word is *agapē* and its verb *agapaō*.
This love is not primarily a feeling. It is an act of the will, a choice to seek another’s good at cost to oneself.
Colossians 3:14 uses:
> “ἐπὶ πᾶσιν δὲ τούτοις τὴν ἀγάπην, ὅ ἐστιν σύνδεσμος τῆς τελειότητος.”
> “…above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfectness.”
So love is the *ligament* that holds the Body of Christ together and brings it to maturity. Without love, there may be gifts, activity, and structure, but no true spiritual completeness.
When the song says:
> “Above all these things, put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity,”
it is echoing this exact truth: love is the divine cement of the Church. Without it, unity is a façade.
---
We will take the lyrics theme by theme and measure them against Scripture.
### A. “A new commandment I give unto you…”
This phrase repeats the words of Jesus Himself. Notice three things:
1. It is a command, not an option
Jesus does not say, “I suggest” or “I recommend.” He says, “I *give* you a *command*.” Obedience is not measured only by our private morality, but by our relationships with other believers.
2. It is new in standard
The standard is no longer: “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Lev. 19:18), but:
> “That ye love one another; as I have loved you…”
How did He love us?
The measure of love is the cross. Nothing less.
3. It is covenant-defining
In the Old Testament, the Sabbath was a sign of the covenant between God and Israel (Exodus 31:13). In the New Testament, the visible sign of the new covenant is this: believers loving one another with Christlike love.
Jesus says:
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35)
Not by our denomination, not by our theology alone, not by our miracles, but by our love.
### B. “That you love one another, as I have loved you”
This line sets the pattern and power of Christian love.
1. Pattern: “As I have loved you”
How did He love?
This rules out selective love. We are not called to love only the agreeable, the mature, or the mature in doctrine, but *one another*.
2. Power: His love in us
Jesus never commands what He does not enable. The love He demands, He supplies. Paul writes:
> “The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” (Romans 5:5)
The verb “shed abroad” (ἐκχέω, *ekcheō*) means *poured out abundantly*. The Holy Spirit pours divine love into our hearts. So we are not throwing up human kindness; we are releasing God’s own *agapē*.
### C. “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples…”
This is repeated in the lyrics:
> “By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one for another.”
Here Jesus defines the primary apologetic of the Church. The world is not primarily convinced by our arguments, but by our relationships.
1. Love is the visible badge of discipleship
A disciple is a learner, a follower, one who imitates his teacher. Jesus says: “Your love for one another will show the world that you are following Me.”
John later writes:
> “He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.” (1 John 2:9)
> “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.” (1 John 3:14)
Love for fellow believers is *evidence* of new birth.
2. Lack of love discredits our testimony
Where there is strife, division, gossip, unforgiveness, bitterness among Christians, the world draws a simple conclusion: “Their message is not true. Their Christ has no power.”
The enemy knows this. One of his primary strategies is to sow division, suspicion, and offence among believers. Divide, and then destroy. Where love is broken, the testimony collapses.
3. Spiritual warfare dimension
In Ephesians 6, Paul speaks about warfare with principalities and powers. But in Ephesians 4–5, before he mentions the enemy, he insists on:
Warfare without love and unity is spiritually unsafe. Love is a shield that closes the gaps in our ranks.
### D. “Walk in love, just as Christ loved us…”
> “Walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.”
This quote from Ephesians 5:2 contains deep theology:
1. “Walk in love” – lifestyle, not moments
“Walk” in Scripture means *conduct your life, order your behaviour*. Love is not an occasional act but a continual walk.
2. “As Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us”
The love of Christ is demonstrated in *giving Himself up*. Love gives, even to the point of death. This is the principle of the cross applied to relationships:
3. “As a fragrant sacrificial offering to God”
Here is a vital point:
Our love for one another is not merely horizontal. It is an *offering to God*. When we love sacrificially, we are offering worship.
In Philippians 4:18, Paul calls the Philippians’ gift “an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God.” Their practical giving was worship.
Likewise, when you choose to forgive, to bear with a weak brother, to serve another believer at cost to yourself, it rises to God as a “sweet-smelling savour.”
### E. “Above all these things, put on love…”
> “Above all these things, put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.”
This echoes Colossians 3:14:
> “And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.”
1. “Above all” – supreme priority
Paul has just listed other Christlike virtues in Colossians 3:12–13: mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, forgiveness. All are essential. Yet he says: “Above all these things, put on love.”
Love is not one virtue among many. It is the *crown*.
2. “Put on” – a conscious choice
The Greek ἐνδύω (*enduo*) means *to clothe oneself, to put on a garment*. It implies deliberate action.
You do not wake up clothed by accident. You choose your clothing. In the same way, you do not drift into love. You *put it on*.
3. “The bond of perfectness” – the ligament of maturity
As we saw, *syndesmos* is a ligament, a binding that holds parts together. *Teleiotēs* speaks of maturity.
Without love:
With love:
This is why the song repeats this line. It is not a minor detail; it is the structural secret of the Church.
---
We must move from theory to practice. Love is not proven in the abstract, but in the concrete. How do we obey this “new commandment”?
### Step 1: Repent of Unlove and Disobedience
First, we must face this fact: lack of love among believers is *sin*. It is not a personality quirk. It is disobedience to Christ’s explicit command.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us…” (1 John 1:9)
You may need to:
Repentance is the doorway to love.
### Step 2: Receive and Rely on God’s Love in You
Second, we must stop trying to produce love out of our own resources. The command is impossible in human strength.
Make this personal transaction:
Then, when faced with a difficult person or situation, consciously say:
“Lord, I choose to let *Your* love flow through me to this person.”
### Step 3: Make Love a Daily Decision – “Put On Love”
Third, we must treat love like clothing. Every day, we *put it on* by deliberate choice.
You can do this in a simple, practical way:
“Today, by an act of my will, in obedience to Your Word, I put on love. I choose to walk in love, as Christ also has loved me.”
Love is not proven in feelings but in choices: a phone call, a reconciliatory message, a practical act of service.
### Step 4: Guard Unity as Spiritual Warfare
Fourth, we must see love and unity as part of spiritual warfare. The enemy’s aim is to divide. Our obedience in love resists him.
“Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.” (Proverbs 26:20)
“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.” (2 Corinthians 2:11)
In context, Paul is urging forgiveness. Unforgiveness gives Satan an advantage.
Jesus said: “Pray for them which despitefully use you” (Luke 6:28). Prayer softens your heart and breaks the enemy’s hold.
Make a decision:
“I will not cooperate with Satan’s strategy of division. I will cooperate with the Holy Spirit’s work of love and unity.”
---
### Proclamation
Speak this aloud, deliberately, as an act of faith and obedience:
> In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I confess that I am a disciple of Jesus.
> He has given me a new commandment: that I love my brothers and sisters, just as He has loved me.
> I acknowledge that love is not a feeling but obedience to His Word.
> I declare that the love of God is poured out in my heart by the Holy Spirit who is given to me.
> Therefore, I choose to walk in love, as Christ also has loved me and given Himself for me, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour.
> Above all other things, I put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity.
> By this love, all will know that I am a disciple of Jesus.
> I refuse hatred, bitterness, unforgiveness, and division.
> I embrace the cross, I lay down my rights, and I yield to the love of Christ in me.
> Love is my command, love is my calling, love is my witness, and love is my warfare.
> Amen.
### Prayer
Father, in the name of Jesus, I come to You under the authority of Your Word.
I confess that many times I have failed to love my brothers and sisters as Christ has loved me. I ask You to forgive me for every unloving thought, word, and action. I repent of bitterness, resentment, and hardness of heart.
Lord Jesus, thank You that You loved me and gave Yourself for me. I submit to Your new commandment. I acknowledge that, in my own strength, I cannot love as You love. I ask You now to fill me afresh with the Holy Spirit. Let the love of God be poured out in my heart in a new measure.
Holy Spirit, I yield my will, my emotions, my tongue, my relationships to You. Teach me to walk in love. Show me specific people I must forgive, reconcile with, or serve. Make me an instrument of unity in the Body of Christ.
Father, let the love among Your people become a clear testimony to the world, that Jesus Christ is Lord and that we are truly His disciples. Let our homes, our churches, and our fellowships be bound together by the bond of perfect love.
I ask this in the name that is above every name, the name of Jesus.
Amen.
No more songs available