A New Command

In John 13:34 Jesus says, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." Much is mentioned in the new testament regarding the need for humans to love one another. Indeed, in Galatians 5:14 Paul writes, "The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." What Jesus and Paul are saying here is that if we love one another, there is no need for the law as written in the old testament since love for one another automatically fulfills the law. What does this mean? The law as written in the old testament spells out things that people should not do. But, if we live by love we will look out for the best interest of our brother and neighbor and will do the right thing. This love for brother and neighbor must be reciprocal to fully work. If I look out fully for the best interests of my neighbor and he looks out fully for my interests then there would be no need to say "Thou shalt not covet" or "Thou shalt not kill." If each of us makes an effort to love one another this world would invariably be a better place!