Loving One Another = Loving Christ?

[AJB4]

John 13:35 (King James Version) - By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.


Growing up, nobody never really explained this verse to me. Does it really mean what it says, that all those who love one another love Christ and are His disciples, not just Orthodox?

[fuerein]

I've always understood it not to mean that those who love are his Disciples, rather that his disciples are ones who love. In otherwords, while other people may love yes, the defining (or at least a defining) characteristic of ALL his disciples should be love.

[Rowan]

I take it as we should love everyone without exception.

Do you have iTunes? Get "A New Commandment" by Teen SOYO. This verse sounds beautiful sung.

[MsDahl]

John 13:35 (King James Version) - By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.


Growing up, nobody never really explained this verse to me. Does it really mean what it says, that all those who love one another love Christ and are His disciples, not just Orthodox?

Hmm, are you saying that you think only Orthodox Christians are His disciples and no one else?

[AJB4]

Hmm, are you saying that you think only Orthodox Christians are His disciples and no one else?
I didn't really mean to imply anything like that.

But, since Orthodox believe that they're the One True Church, that's often what that implies at times.

[gzt]

Well, the passage doesn't say how loving one another is loving Christ, but it does say that Christians will be known for their love for one another. However, we are also to love all of our neighbours, especially our enemies and those undergoing misfortune, for "whatsoever ye do for the least of these...". I suppose there is a special love those united in Christ are able to have for one another because of their bond of unity which is not shared by others, just as there is a special love that, viz, a parent can have for their children which they cannot have for others. Anyways: to answer more directly your question, yes, people can follow Christ to some measure without being Orthodox Christians, and thus they may be able to love even their enemies (which, for St Silouan, is the sure sign of reception of the grace of the Holy Spirit, for the carnal man is not able to achieve that at all).

[MsDahl]

I didn't really mean to imply anything like that.

But, since Orthodox believe that they're the One True Church, that's often what that implies at times.

When I hear/read these types of comments regarding Orthodoxy, I feel confused because I don't understand this type of thinking. I spend my time being concerned for my own personal spiritual state rather than to ever so boldly claim who is or is not a disciple of Christ. The sin of pride is a very serious sin.

Back to your question, this verse you quoted brings to mind the verses where the disciples are questioning those who are casting out demons in Jesus' name and He goes on to tell them that it is ok for them to do so because if they are for us, then they are not against us.


Whoever Is Not Against Us Is for Us

38"Teacher," said John, "we saw a man driving out demons in your name and we told him to stop, because he was not one of us."
39"Do not stop him," Jesus said. "No one who does a miracle in my name can in the next moment say anything bad about me, 40for whoever is not against us is for us. 41I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward.
Mark 9:38-41

[Saint Melania]

When I hear/read these types of comments regarding Orthodoxy, I feel confused because I don't understand this type of thinking. I spend my time being concerned for my own personal spiritual state rather than to ever so boldly claim who is or is not a disciple of Christ. The sin of pride is a very serious sin.

Back to your question, this verse you quoted brings to mind the verses where the disciples are questioning those who are casting out demons in Jesus' name and He goes on to tell them that it is ok for them to do so because if they are for us, then they are not against us.



That's the best way to put it.

The Orthodox Church may be the One True Church, but that doesn't mean God doesn't work outside of it.

We keep saying the Orthodox Church is the fullness of the faith, and it is. It must be experienced to realize that.