“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
Dear Lord Jesus, there are so many things we intensely crave about our coming life in the new heaven and new earth. There will be no more knowing in part, for we will know fully, even as we are fully known (1 Cor. 13:12). Everything a glorified sinner can possibly know, we will know. The things we will not understand this side of your second coming, will finally make sense to us, and with great joy.
More importantly, the incomplete and distorted ways we think about God will be eternally expunged, exorcised, erased… the very moment we see you as you are—the day we will be made like you. (1 John 3:1-3). We will see God’s face and “his name will be on our foreheads”—the sign and seal of perfected intimacy (Rev. 22:4). Hasten that Day, Lord!
Jesus, we also greatly long for the Day of no more obeying in part—especially when it comes to the “new command” you gave us. Finally and fully, we will love each other the way you love us. Such a state of relational glory is almost inconceivable to us. Every one of our relationships will be perfect, beautiful, fulfilling—a dynamic sharing of the life, joy and intimacy within the Trinity. Hasten that Day, Lord!
We’ll never fail or hurt one another again. We’ll never have to apologize, forgive and reconcile about anything. We’ll never use or get used by anyone, for we’ll serve one another in love, with uncontrollable gladness. We’ll never bore or get bored with anyone, because we’ll be intrigued with one another forever.
There won’t be any misunderstandings, misrepresentations or incomplete conversations. All racism, prejudice and tribalism will be eradicated—replaced with love, honor and the richest community imaginable. There won’t be any insiders or outsiders; no “pecking order” or ordering one another around; no braggadocio or breaking confidences.
Jesus, finally, your church—your beloved Bride, will love the way you love us. No more splits or splants; no more worship wars or wagging tongues; no more denominational petulance or theological arrogance; no more church shopping or church hopping; no more bickering, backbiting or bitterness. Hasten that Day, Lord!
Until then, Jesus, bring the power of the gospel to bear in extraordinary ways in our churches. Grant us greater grief and repentance over the ways we love so poorly. Stun us again and again and again with how much you love us… there is no other way we’ll change. So very Amen, we pray, with conviction and hope, in your grace-full name.
