Our Code Is a Character
The sermon emphasizes that our moral code is defined by the character of Jesus, inspiring us to love one another as He loves us.
Selwyn Hughes preaches on Jesus' new commandment to love one another as He has loved us, emphasizing the transformative power of Christ's love in shaping our character and morality. By adding 'As I have loved you' to the command to love one another, Jesus sets a new standard that goes beyond mere obedience to inspired morality rooted in love. This new code of conduct reflects the character of Jesus and moves us from legalism to love, from feeling bound to feeling free, and from following commandments to following a Person.
Text
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you ..." (v. 34)
For reading & meditation:
John 13:1-38
What other teacher has taken the Ten Commandments and had the right to add another commandment to them? But this is precisely what Jesus did, as we see from our text today. "A new command I give you," He said. "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." The Old Testament and other religious writings enjoined loving one another. What was new was this: "As I have loved you." Our Lord's conduct - "as I have loved you" - produced a new code for the human race. Paul, writing to the Philippians, catches the spirit of it when he says: "Treat one another with the same spirit as you experience in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:5, Moffatt). Here morality reaches its high-water mark. From the moment Jesus uttered the words that are occupying our attention, there came into human life something more than a code - there came a Character. Now, therefore, our code is a Character - the Character of Jesus. When someone asks me if I believe in the Ten Commandments I say: "Yes, and very much more besides. I believe in Jesus." The Ten Commandments are an injunction - and a God-given one. But Jesus is an injunction plus an inspiration. To follow an injunction is to obey an imposed morality, but to follow a Person and do the things He does is an inspired morality. One is legalism, the other love. One binds you, the other frees you. One makes you feel trammelled, the other relaxed and spontaneous. Our code is not a commandment but a Character. One greater than the commandments is here.
O Christ, Your law lays upon me an injunction, but Your life entering into my life inspires me to live up to that injunction. It is this that makes Your yoke so easy. I am deeply, deeply grateful. Amen.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Introduction of the new commandment - Comparison with the Ten Commandments - Significance of 'As I have loved you'
- II points: - The essence of Jesus' love - Transformation from injunction to inspiration - The role of character in morality
- III points: - Legalism vs. love - The freedom found in following Christ - Living out the character of Jesus
- IV points: - The impact of Jesus' life on our lives - Gratitude for His guidance - Conclusion and call to action
Key Quotes
“''A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you ...''” — Selwyn Hughes
“''Our code is a Character - the Character of Jesus.''” — Selwyn Hughes
“''One greater than the commandments is here.''” — Selwyn Hughes
Application Points
- Reflect on how Jesus' love can inspire your daily actions.
- Seek to embody the character of Christ in your relationships.
- Practice gratitude for the guidance Jesus provides in living out His commandments.