A New Commandment

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” —John 13:34–35

When God calls us, He COMMANDS us to live a life concerned with His best for others

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. —Hebrews 10:24–25

“But I find God when I’m ALONE… in the woods… in my tree stand… in my boat… on the slopes… on a hike… ANYWHERE BUT WITH PEOPLE!”

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and those who were with him searched for him, 37 and they found him and said to him, “Everyone is looking for you.” 38 And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” —Mark 1:35–38

What happened when Moses found God “alone” in the wilderness?

“Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” —Exodus 3:10

What happened immediately after Jesus was “alone” in the wilderness?

The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. 13 And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. 14 Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, 15 and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” 16 Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. 17 And Jesus said to them, “Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men.” —Mark 1:12–17

Alone time with God strengthens us and sharpens for our part in His mission to and for OTHER PEOPLE

The second [greatest commandment] is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” —Mark 12:31

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” —Galatians 5:13–14

Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. —Galatians 6:2–3

You may not need other people to fulfill YOUR mission, but other people are essential to GOD’S mission

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” —Matthew 28:18–20

Here’s the bottom-line confrontational question: Is it going to be pride or humility? Who gets to define the mission and the methods, you or God?