What did he mean love one another?

In the gospel of John, Jesus speaks directly to his disciples with this request.  

"So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove you are my disciples."  ~John 13:34-35

So what did he mean?  He wanted them to model his reflection and then the world would know that the power of God was among them.  But, that is not all, what was that thing he said, " a new commandment..."  

Here we have God himself, as the new covenant in Jesus Christ, telling us we now have a new commandment; to love one another.  So if this is a new commandment and we don't follow it, we are sinning.  Yes, it is a sin not to love one another. Let that sink in.  

Let's take this a little farther...

In 1 John, he expounds on what it will look like when you love one another in comparison to loving the world.

Do not love the world or the things it offers you, for when you love this world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. ~1 John 2:15 

So don't be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you. 
~1 John 3:13

We know that we are the children of God and that the world around us is under control of the evil one. ~1 John 5:19
And then in Matthew, he tells how Jesus teaches to deal with the world.

"But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven." 
~Matthew 5:44-45

To love one another means love your enemy as well as your friend. 
Jesus speaking:

"I say, love your enemies!  Do good to those who hate you." ~Luke 6:27

I have never seen a time in my life that this applies to more now than ever.  

The world around us is under control of the evil one.  There are forces at work here you cannot see, but when someone opens their mouth and spits at you it is not of God.  Start discerning what is really going on here.  These people are "under the influence."
Jesus said,"Father forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing." 
~Luke 23:34
They really don't know, the devil keeps the truth hidden from them.
Paul explains:
If the Good News we preach is hidden behind a veil, it is hidden only from people who are perishing. Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. ~2 Corinthians 4:3
They (the world) don't understand this message about the glory of Christ. 
You see, we don't go around preaching about ourselves.  We preach that Jesus Christ is Lord, and we ourselves are your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let there be light in the darkness," has made this light shine in our heart so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ. ~2 Corinthians 4:4-6

Be that light in the darkness.

All glory and honor to my Lord Jesus Christ,

Sherry

I will be linking up with these parties:
Mommy Moments at Life of Faith- Sun evening
Moments of Hope at Lori Schumaker
Monday's Musings at What Joy is Mine
Coffee and Conversation at Pat and Candy.com
Tell Us His Story at Jennifer Dukes Lee
Grace Moments at Journeys in Grace
Thought Provoking Thursdays at 3-D Lessons for Life
Grace and Truth at Above the Waves
Fresh Market Friday Crystal Twaddell
5 Minute Friday at Saraf E. Frazer
TGI Saturdays at Ask Latisha