Title: Practitioners of Love (John 13:31-35)
Content 1. Let's love here now.
The new commandment in this text is the old commandment that has been passed down from time immemorial, not the new commandment. However, here, the commandment is renewed and interpreted, and fundamentally, a new decision is urged in front of the commandment handed down from ancient times. At this time, the word “new commandment” is possible.
"Love each other" means to love each other right here and now in my concrete life, not in other people's situations. This is not to say that we love if the conditions improve in the future, otherwise we will not. The meaning of the new commandment comes to life when we renew our determination to love each other in the situation we are in.
These words are only possible when we overcome the condition of not being able to love here and now. As long as you are looking for the conditions to love, you will be forever unlovable. The word “love each other” is possible only when we make a new decision while holding on to our weaknesses, overcoming conflict, discovering the problem, and feeling the pain as it is.
2. Respond to the need for comfort
Love is deeply caring for the other person's need to be comforted. Love is not found when the deep-seated need for comfort is not met. Even if you go through each day thinking that you will meet these needs someday, as long as you hold them as homework, the problem will not be solved. From the moment you open the bookshelf, your homework becomes a clue to solve.
Reaching out as needed refreshes people and refreshes them. A new life situation starts from there.
True love is revealed when we respond to the need for comfort. Because love is about meeting each other's needs.
3. Make a new decision
We, who believe in the God who gives us the new commandment to become the lamp of salvation, must begin the gesture of stepping into his new request and determination in the present situation.
The words “Love one another” will begin with the first act of our resolve. Let's not delay. Don't put it off until tomorrow. Our neighbor now needs you now, waiting for the love that will fill the need that will begin through our determination.
Your decision to start this work soon will lead your faith to the <New Commandment>.