As I Have Loved You
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” - John 13:34
Do you love others like you love Jesus? This is what God’s command for us as believers. There should be a noticeable difference in the way you walk and the way you talk. It’s easy to love those who love us, but how do you approach those who appear to be less than loveable?
We love those who do good to us—family members, friends who are kind and thoughtful toward us. But when it comes to those who oppose us, doubt us, or reject us, it can be much harder to love these people. However, God commands us to love ALL His children.
It does not matter if someone has wronged you. Maybe they cheated on you, stole from you, took advantage of you. There are no “if, ands, or buts,” God simply says, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” We often try to justify why we fail to do as God commands because our situation is unique. But it is not unique. Others too have experienced the things that you have. So you are not alone.
Choosing to love others does not mean absolve them of responsibility or make your hurt less valid. It also doesn’t mean you must allow yourself to be taken advantage of in the name of “love.” But it does require a level of humility that sets aside our pride and allows us to react as Jesus would.
Today’s key verse commands us to love as Jesus loves. And Jesus’ love is not conditional. We sin, we mess up, and we fail to follow His commands. But He never stops loving us. And that is the same love He wants us to have for others. They do not have to earn it. We are to show it regardless. Just as He has loved us despite our flaws, we too should love others that same way.
Do you love others like you love Jesus? This is what God’s command for us as believers. There should be a noticeable difference in the way you walk and the way you talk. It’s easy to love those who love us, but how do you approach those who appear to be less than loveable?
We love those who do good to us—family members, friends who are kind and thoughtful toward us. But when it comes to those who oppose us, doubt us, or reject us, it can be much harder to love these people. However, God commands us to love ALL His children.
It does not matter if someone has wronged you. Maybe they cheated on you, stole from you, took advantage of you. There are no “if, ands, or buts,” God simply says, “As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” We often try to justify why we fail to do as God commands because our situation is unique. But it is not unique. Others too have experienced the things that you have. So you are not alone.
Choosing to love others does not mean absolve them of responsibility or make your hurt less valid. It also doesn’t mean you must allow yourself to be taken advantage of in the name of “love.” But it does require a level of humility that sets aside our pride and allows us to react as Jesus would.
Today’s key verse commands us to love as Jesus loves. And Jesus’ love is not conditional. We sin, we mess up, and we fail to follow His commands. But He never stops loving us. And that is the same love He wants us to have for others. They do not have to earn it. We are to show it regardless. Just as He has loved us despite our flaws, we too should love others that same way.
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