A new commandment I give to you, in order that you should love one another; just as I have loved you, in order that also you should love one another (John 13:34).
Christ gave the Church a new commandment: to love other Christians as He loved us. There is no law against love, for love always seeks the best for the one loved. Therefore, a grace believer does not conduct his behavior based on law, but on grace through faith, as he abides by Christ’s commandment to seek the best for those of the household of grace.
God’s quality of love is not an aspect of human nature. His love seeks the best for the one loved. It is not willing to sacrifice for its own pleasure or self-gratification, unlike the love that comes from humans (Luke 11:43). It holds its anger against unreasonable people. It puts others at ease. It is not jealous. It does not speak arrogantly, nor present itself as more than what it truly is. Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness; therefore, it does not support a corrupt lifestyle. True love will always lead a person away from sin (1 Corinthians 13:4–8a).
This is the type of character a Christian can exhibit when he is filled with the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). This filling is not emotionally based; the Holy Spirit enables us to rationally conduct our lives in a manner that reflects a quality of Christ’s character.
We are filled in this way by setting our minds on the things above (Colossians 3:1–2), and with each step, seeking and doing the desires of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25).