In John 13:34-35, Jesus gives us a powerful command: “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.”

Love is at the heart of our Christian Walk, and it is also at the heart of our Island culture.

As Cook Islanders, we are known for our hospitality, generosity and close-knit communities. Yet, like any society, we also face family conflicts, community divisions and personal struggles.

When we love as Jesus loved, we experience God’s presence in our lives, our families and friendships are strengthened, and as a result we will experience transforming communities.

Today, we will explore three things as a result of living out Jesus’ command.

1. Loving others draws us closer to God

God is love (1 John 4:8), and when we love others, we reflect His character. Love is not just about saying kind words, but it’s about forgiving, serving and sacrificing for others. The more we love one another, the more we experience God’s power in our lives.

1 John 4:11-12 — “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another ... If we love one another, God lives in us and His love is made complete in us.”

In Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus teaches that loving God and loving others are the greatest commandments.

Think of a pearl diver searching for that perfect pearl. The deeper they go, the greater the reward. Love is the same – the deeper we go in loving others, the closer we get to God.

And so, when we love as Jesus loved, we grow closer to God and experience His presence in our daily lives.

2. Loving one another strengthens families and friendships

Families are meant to be strong, but unfortunately anger, jealousy and past hurts can divide them. Jesus calls us to forgive, be patient and love unconditionally. When we choose love over pride, families and friendships grow stronger.

Colossians 3:13-14 encourages us to “Bear with each other and forgive one another ... And over all these virtues, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”

Proverbs 17:17 says that “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”

I know a family who have had ongoing disputes over ownership of a property. This caused division between the family members for years. To the point where they didn’t speak with one another. One family member, inspired by Christ’s love, took the first step toward forgiveness. Then slowly, healing came, and the family was reunited.

You see Christian love heals wounds, restores families and builds strong friendships.

3. Loving one another transforms our community

Imagine a Cook Islands where no one goes hungry, no child feels abandoned, and no elderly is lonely. This is the power of Christ’s love in action. When we serve and uplift each other, we change lives.

The Bible says in Matthew 25:40 – “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

Romans 12:10 encourages each of us to “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.”

While I was in Thailand late last year for meetings, a volunteer serving in one of the villages for the first time, shared that he and his wife had identified several families who needed assistance and began delivering food and clothes to them. When others heard they joined in, and soon the whole community was helping one another. Where once there was neglect, now there was hope and love.

You see Christian love creates a society where no one is forgotten, and everyone thrives.

In closing, we are called to live out Jesus’ love. To be the hands and feet of Jesus to those in need.

Loving one another is not always easy, but when we obey Jesus’ command, we experience:

• A deeper connection with God
• Stronger families and friendships
• A transformed and united community

Jesus loved us first, and now He calls us to spread that love in our homes, churches, and communities. Let’s make the Cook Islands a place where love is not just spoken but lived – because love changes everything!

• Pastor Eric Toleafoa of the Seventh-day Adventists Church