In John 13:34-35, our Lord said, “A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; even as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have a love one to another.” With these beautiful words, Jesus emphasized the hallmark of Christianity: the love that members of the church display one to another. Many other passages reaffirm this theme, including the entire 13th chapter of First Corinthians, which sets forth the importance of love, the description of love, and the permanence of love. Truly, Christians are distinguished from people of the world by the love which permeates their hearts and lives.
But sometimes this passage is misused to downplay the importance of certain doctrines that the person feels are unimportant. The argument generally runs something like this: “Jesus said churches of Christ would be known by their love. He did not say we would be known by our use of a cappella music, observing the Lord supper on the first day of the week, or baptism for the remission of sins. All of these things are less important than love, which is our distinguishing characteristic.” But is this a valid argument? Let’s consider some of the implications of this type of reasoning, and see if it holds up under analysis.
Like every statement in the Bible, this one appears in a context, which needs to be understood. John 13:35 is part of a lengthy discourse by our Lord just prior to his departure from this earth. He was giving his apostles assurances and critical teaching immediately prior to his arrest and crucifixion. He had washed their feet, in a graphic illustration of the humility which must characterize disciples of Christ. He had predicted his betrayal, and done so in a manner calculated to strengthen their faith. He would provide priceless consolation to them, urging them not to let their hearts be troubled, to remember their heavenly inheritance, and promising the Holy Spirit, who would “guide them into all truth,” (Jn. 16:13).
The responsibility of loving one another was essential to the blessings he was describing. He had already taught them that the greatest commandment of all is to love God, and the second is to love one another, (Mt. 22:34-40). These are not distinct commandments, separate unto themselves. They overlap and go together. Love is tied together with obedience. “Ye are my friends, if ye do the things which I command you,” (Jn 15:14). It is impossible to love one another, without loving and obeying God. The same inspired writer noted, “Hereby we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and do his commandments,” (1 Jn. 5:2).
So if we truly love one another, we will love God, and be very diligent about observing all of his commandments. This includes worshiping in the manner he has directed, avoiding additions and modifications to his instructions, and teaching the truth as to the plan of salvation. Since the Scriptures teach the importance of worshiping in song, without the accompaniment of mechanical instruments, (Eph. 5:19), such teaching and practice becomes very important to the one who truly loves God. Because the Scriptures provide an approved precedent as to when we should observe the Lord’s supper, namely upon the first of the week (Acts 20:7), such teaching and practice is respected and observed by the loving Christian. And since the Scriptures so clearly require baptism unto the remission of sins as part of God’s plan of salvation, (Acts 2:38), the child of God will also teach this, and will be diligent to observe that practice himself.
In other words, true love for God and love for his disciples will mandate a strict respect for and obedience to his word. These things are not mutually exclusive. It is not an “either/or” but a “both/and.” When Jesus said, by this shall all men know that ye are my disciples,” he was not saying that other identifiers do not exist. But biblical love is so pervasive and inclusive, it really includes these others.
It is possible to observe these specific doctrinal points, without practicing pure, biblical love. But it is not possible to truly practice love while leaving the doctrinal matters behind, because “doctrine” includes love. And it includes worship, and baptism, and the whole range of Bible teaching.
So the next time you hear someone say, “Jesus did not say we will be known as his disciples because we do not use the instrument,” stop and consider the dangerous implications of such “either/or” thinking. And remind them what “love” really means. May we all love one another enough to encourage each of us to keep his commandments.
-by Robert C. Veil, Jr.
