Living In The Light

January 30, Love And Prosperity

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another;
as I have loved you, that you also love one another. ”
—John 13:34 LL 36.1

“A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” The Lord our Redeemer had not yet demonstrated fully that love to its completeness. After His condemnation in the judgment hall, His crucifixion on the cross, when He cried out in a clear, loud voice, “It is finished,” that love stands forth as an exhibition of a new love—“as I have loved you”—is demonstrated. Can the human mind take this in? Can we obey the commandment given? Christ requires nothing of any soul that it is not possible for that person to do. “By this . . . shall all men know that ye are My disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35). “Ifye love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). “He that hath My commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth Me: and he that loveth Me shall be loved of My Father, and I will love him, and will manifest Myself to him. . . . If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:21, 23). “Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples. As the Father hath loved Me, so have I loved you: continue ye in My love. If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father’s commandments, and abide in His love. These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is My commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you” (John 15:8-12). LL 36.2

This love among brethren is of the greatest consequence for the prosperity of the church. Satan knows this, and he is ready with his temptations of selfishness, working in them a spirit of envy, jealousy, evil surmisings. “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on Me through their word; that they all may be one; as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be one in Us” (John 17:20, 21).—Manuscript 130, 1901. LL 36.3

Further Reflection: Why is love for one another so important to the long-term prosperity of the church? If the world does not see this love in action, how can they believe that God is love? LL 36.4