A new commandment

It is true that many times we live under the shadow of the Old Testament. In the Old Testament we see a group of laws to fulfill, of people judging by everything you do, but in the New Testament we see a waste of mercy and love. The New Testament presents the church as a community of people who feel great brotherly love for one another, this means that if our churches are not expressing that love, then they are not communicating to the world the true biblical community that represents the love of Jesus.

This contrast is important because many believers still carry a mentality of condemnation rather than grace. Some feel that God is constantly pointing out their failures, forgetting that Christ inaugurated a better covenant, one rooted in compassion and restoration. When we cling only to judgment, we distort the message of the gospel, and the world sees a church that talks about love but does not practice it. For this reason, it is necessary to examine our attitudes and ask ourselves if we are truly reflecting the mercy that Christ has given us.

The Old Testament mentions expressions in the law of Moses such as: “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”. Instead, the New Testament commands us to love our enemies. I believe that a part of the church today prefers an “eye for an eye” or to judge the brother and trample him.

This reaction is often born from pride, wounded emotions, or a lack of spiritual maturity. It is easier to respond by instinct than to respond with the love of Christ. However, the gospel calls us to rise above our natural inclinations. Loving an enemy or forgiving someone who has hurt us is not simple, but it is precisely in those moments when the world can clearly see the transforming power of Jesus in our lives. A community that forgives, restores and embraces is a living testimony of God’s grace.

We read so much the Bible, but often we take those things that suit us. Jesus once said:

34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
John 13:34-35

In the first place, Jesus says that He gives us a new commandment, which annuls the phrases we have mentioned in the Old Testament. In the second place He says that we should love one another, and this means that we should forgive ourselves, that we should serve ourselves, that we should cheer up, etc. In the third place, He does not command us to love with any love, but He says: “As I have loved you, so also love one another.”

These words invite us to meditate deeply on the quality of Christ’s love. His love is patient, sacrificial, compassionate, and unconditional. When we compare our own expressions of love with His model, we quickly realize that we still have a long way to go. Yet, this commandment is not given to discourage us, but to lead us toward spiritual growth. Every act of kindness, forgiveness, and service brings us closer to fulfilling this call.

Christ commands us to love ourselves as He loved the church that He gave his life for it. That is why John also says in chapter 15: 13: “No one has greater love than this, that one lay down his life for his friends”. This means that true love within the church is represented in its maximum expression, to the point of giving our lives for our brothers.

Although not all believers will face situations where they must literally give their lives, we are all called to die to pride, selfishness, and resentment. Sacrificial love is demonstrated daily in patience, in listening, in praying for others, and in supporting those who struggle. A church that practices this type of love becomes a refuge for the wounded and a clear light for the world.

And finally, Jesus says: “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” He does not say that will know that we are his disciples because we are famous, arrogant, philosophical, critical, etc. He tells us that the world will know that we are Christians because of the love we represent in front of the world, because of the extreme difference we show in love towards a brother.

When believers genuinely love each other, barriers fall, divisions heal, and the message of Christ shines with greater strength. The world is tired of empty speeches; it seeks authenticity, and nothing is more authentic than a community transformed by the love of God. Each believer becomes a living testimony of grace.

As a church we still have a lot to learn. Remember, Christ has given us a new commandment: “Let us love one another as He has loved the church.”

Let this be more than a phrase—let it be our lifestyle. If we embrace this commandment with sincerity, our families, congregations, and communities will experience a renewal that only the love of Christ can produce. Loving one another is not optional; it is the very identity of those who follow Jesus.