John records Jesus’ last few days with his closest friends as a time of instruction. Jesus was preparing them for their life without his presence.
Twice John records Jesus saying he is giving one command–to love one another. The second time he said it, he added, and this is true love that you give up your life for another.
If that was Jesus last command (and he said in between that if you love him, you’ll keep his commands), then have we ever forgotten that command! You don’t even have to look back at the sordid history of the Christian church. Just look around today.
Do you belong to a church where there are critics and sometimes even fractious behavior? Are people prone to call other Christians “non-Christians” because they don’t believe the same set of propositions?
Who has a lifestyle of helping others? Actually we know a few. Right? And we think they are saints. But why aren’t all of us that way? Maybe we forget. Maybe we get caught up in ourselves and we forget what Jesus taught and what he did. And that we are supposed to emulate him. That’s what disciples do. And we’re Jesus’ disciples, right?
I wonder what would happen if all Christians would practice this command. Would people outside the church be attracted to the church? Would more people want to become Christian instead of being cynical about Christians?
Maybe this is something we should try.
Faith Venture 
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