Back in the Old Testament, God gave the Israelites several commandments or laws, which He instructed them to obey as a condition for enjoying the blessings of the covenant He had with Abraham.

 

However, in the New Testament, the Lord Jesus Christ, before His crucifixion, said in John 13:34, "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another." He brought in a new commandment which effectively abolished the previous commandments of the Old Testament (Ephesians 2:15). This new commandment is that we should love one another as He has loved us.

 

Ater the Lord gave this commandment He proceeded to die on the cross for us, and God raised Him from the dead. He rose up from the dead with a new life, and God said to Him, "…Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee" (Hebrews 5:5). He is thus the head of the new creation; we’re born of Him to love like Him. Ephesians 5:1-2 tells us to be imitators of God, and "…walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour."

 

We can emulate our heavenly Father to walk in love because His love is in us. Romans 5:5 says, "And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us." God has put His love in your heart so you can love the same way He does, and so fulfil the new commandment to love one another. There’s so much to thank the Lord for, so lift your hands in worship and love to Him right now, and less Him for who He is. Worship Him passionately from your spirit as you anticipate the greater glory

 

and victories He has in store for you in the coming year.