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.
Subscribe Now for Free Daily Devotions
Recent
Archive
2023
January
The Disease of PerfectionismThe Perfect WaveJust StartJust the Way You AreYou Are FreeThe Blessing of ImperfectionDon’t Go Back!When They Miss The MarkSee It ThemselvesValueLove Your EnemiesQualified by GodCan You Just Enjoy the Trip?Greater is HeEveryone Has a Story to TellWho Needs Your Story?It All Has PurposeThe Shoulders on Which We StandRemember Your PastGreater Than UsAre You a Worrier?God is in ControlEven The BirdsHis WillHis WayHis TimeDo Not Be AnxiousLook Beyond the BarrierThank HimThe Peace of GodGuard Your HeartGuard Your Mind
February
Keep on TickingStoned but Not StoppedSomeone Needs Your EndingGuaranteed VictoryNext in LineYou’re That ImportantIt’s Not That EasyContinue in the FaithSee It ThemselvesAnyone Can Do ThatSeeing is Not BelievingHERE and NOWThings Not SeenNothing Can Stop YouWill You Stay in The Game?You Never ImaginedYou Can Live...With ItBounce BackYou Don’t Have to WaitYou Don’t Need PermissionHe Can Handle ItA God of ComfortHe Sees YouHe Secures YouHe Shows YouHiding in HolinessFreedom in ChristRoom For a Miracle
March
A God of HopeImpossible to PleaseAnything is PossibleA Powerful PostureUnfinishedHope Anchors Our LivesHope Gives Us AccessHope Enables PerseveranceWaiting With ExpectationStuck on What’s BehindTomorrow’s ScriptStill PossibleStill TrueYou Have Favor"I’m Good"You Missed ItThe Pain of RegretMissing JesusThe Back BurnerKnowledge Isn’t EnoughProfits and PromotionsThe One You MissGO NOWWhat Are You Looking For?Call on HimWorth the Wait
No Comments