anew.

"[34]A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. [35] By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."

(John 13:34-35 ESV)

This new commandment goes so, so deep. I have experienced it so much in just this past 3 days, not just in terms of receiving and giving, but also in seeing.

What struck me most is that if we have not love, we are truly nothing. In fact, we will cause harm more than anything else. When we fail to love, we commit the sin of both omission and commission at the same time. We can not love, and not love. Scary.

How will they know if we are His disciples — if we treat one another with animosity?
How will they know that we are the Body — if we can't even take care of the different parts?
How will they know the glory of God — if we do not glorify Him in and among us?
How will they know that Christ has overcome sin — if we do not strive to overcome sin even among ourselves?
How will they know the power of the Spirit — if we do not share His power to comfort, to heal, to minister, to counsel, to guide (etc!) others?
How will they know that the Word is living and active — if we do not live it out?
How will they know what the Kingdom looks like — if we live as though it has not come?

Not everyone will do such. In fact, many do get choked when trying to do it. But this does not mean that I do not strive to do what I, one called to be a Child of God, have to.

O, to simply, in my love for Him and His creation, glorify God and enjoy Him forever.

Because forever is now.