Jesus said (NIV) Matthew 5:17-19 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. 18 I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished. 19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”™”

Jesus took Old Testament commands and elevated them to a higher level. Jesus talked with His eleven disciples during the Last Supper and taught them many things. One of which was:

(NASB) John 13:34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”

It is easy to love those who love us and express their love to us. It is not easy to love those who show animosity, unkindness and even rejection toward us. He did command us to love one another as He has loved us, whether we have a personal liking for individuals or not. This takes us to a higher level of commitment toward others, does it not? Love is a choice, who do you need to choose to love?

How does this impact us today? Christ has loved you and me selflessly and sacrificially and we are also to love selflessly and sacrificially. I don”™t know about you, but I don”™t necessarily like this part of Jesus”™ commandment!

So, this is where the “˜dying to self”™ comes in! Galatians 2:20 However, it is not the “˜I”™ but Christ Who lives in me. When I received Jesus as my Savior, He gave me His Holy Spirit to live in me. When I am yielded to the living God, His Spirit is in charge!

Pride and the self part of my nature, and yours, needs to take a back seat, better yet, to be gone.

(NASB) Galatians 2:20 “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”

Christ has selflessly and sacrificially loved you!

And we are to selflessly and sacrificially love others!