“As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.”
— John 15:9

You may have heard people say that we must keep Jesus’ commandments. One of these commandments is “Love your neighbor as yourself”. For some reason many call it the new commandment, although it is not a new commandment but the law of Moses. Paul confirms this in these words: “For the commandments, ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ ‘You shall not covet,’ and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'” (Rom.13:9)

Beloved, Jesus did not come to put on our shoulders the yoke of the law, which man is unable to keep, but came to reveal God’s love to us and to show that the truth is not in the law but in grace. For it is written that the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. (Jhn.1:17) For in the law wrath is revealed, but in grace the love of Christ. Jesus came to give us a new commandment, which does not lead to wrath as the law of Moses does, but keeps a person in the love of Christ, for the Lord Himself said: “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love…” (Jhn.15:10)

And then Jesus explains what this new commandment is: “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (Jhn.15:12) These words of the Lord are often understood according to the flesh, and then they turn into the law of Moses, which is aimed at human flesh. No, my friends, this commandment is not fleshly but spiritual. Jesus Himself said that His words are spirit and life; in other words, His words do not oppress but give life, and life in abundance.

Brothers and sisters, the truth is not in our behaviour, nor in our good or bad deeds; the truth is in Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself gives us the key to understanding how to keep His commandments: “…just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.” (Jhn.15:10) What commandment did the Father give Jesus to keep? Peter recalls it: “For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.‘” (2 Pet.1:17) Jesus, being the only mediator between God and man, today passes on to you the same words of the Father: “You are My beloved child, and I am always pleased with you; abide in My love!”

Prayer
Father, I thank You for the love You have revealed to me in Your beloved Son Jesus Christ. Thank You for Your Holy Spirit, who keeps me in Your love, always reminding me that You love me very much, for You did not spare the dearest thing You had for my sake — Your beloved Son. I also thank You that the Spirit of the Lord reminds me that I am forever righteous and perfect in Your holy eyes, for I am forever washed by the holy blood of the Lamb of God, and so You are always pleased with me! Amen!