How does 1 John 3:23 connect to Jesus' teachings in John 13:34? One Command, Two Parts 1 John 3:23: “And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us.” John 13:34: “A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you are to love one another.” • John condenses discipleship into a single, two-fold command: – Believe in Jesus’ name (faith). – Love one another (action). • Jesus’ “new commandment” supplies the pattern—“as I have loved you”—so John simply re-echoes and embeds it into the church’s marching orders. Tracing the Echo: John 13 in 1 John 3 • Same Speaker, same authority – In John 13, Jesus speaks before the cross. – In 1 John 3, the risen Christ’s words are echoed through the apostle. • Same scope – John 13: addressed to the Eleven, soon to become the church’s foundation. – 1 John 3: written to all believers, widening the circle but not the standard. • Same motive – John 13:34 anchors love in Christ’s sacrificial example (see John 15:13). – 1 John 3:23 follows 3:16, “By this we know what love is: Jesus laid down His life for us.” The cross remains the measuring stick. • Same outcome – Mutual love makes disciples recognizable (John 13:35). – Mutual love gives believers assurance before God (1 John 3:19) and bold prayers (3:22). Why Love and Faith Cannot Be Separated • Believing “in the name” means trusting His revealed character; that character is love (1 John 4:8). • True faith produces obedience (James 2:17); the first fruit God highlights is love (Galatians 5:6). • Rejecting love while claiming faith brands a person a liar (1 John 4:20). • Therefore 1 John 3:23 doesn’t list two unrelated commands; it states one seamless command—faith expressing itself through love. Supporting Passages that Tie the Bow • John 15:12 – “Love one another as I have loved you.” • John 17:20-23 – Jesus prays for unity and love so the world may believe. • Matthew 22:37-40 – The greatest commandments: love God, love neighbor; Jesus unites them. • 1 Peter 1:22 – “Since you have purified your souls by obedience to the truth, love one another deeply, from a pure heart.” Living It Out Today • Guard the gospel: keep trusting Christ alone—His name, His finished work. • Practice sacrificial love: move toward brothers and sisters’ needs, not away. • Let love validate witness: the unbelieving world still measures authenticity by the quality of our relationships. • Aim for confidence before God: answered prayer flows from a conscience clear in faith and love (1 John 3:21-22). |
    |