17 These things I command you, that you love one another.
Jesus restated His charge to the apostles to love one another in this verse.
17 These things I command you,
Verse 17 is a summary of everything Jesus said in the vine-branch illustration.
that you love one another.
The singular purpose of the point of abiding in Jesus is that His disciples would love each other.
PRINCIPLE:
Our love for fellow believers is an extension of Christ’s love for us.
APPLICATION:
We love Jesus because He first loved us, but we also love one another for the same reason—because my love for you stimulates your love for me. Our love for other believers is an extension of Jesus’ love for us (Ro 5:5).
Mutual love is the foundation for everything, for building a ministry with one accord. It is crucial that each ministry builds the common good of the church. Followers of Christ loving one another is a mark of their discipleship (Jn 13:34-35).
