Loving others
“Loving others” sounds so – pious. And to others, it sounds trite. It’s really easy to say… yet much harder to do at times, isn’t it?
As followers of Christ Jesus, how are we to love others? With an “I’ll pray for you” and get on with our day? Or, we give fluffy words of love and without going any deeper.
As followers of Christ what does Jesus say to us? He said it when He was here on earth the first time… and my friend, He is saying it today through His word the Holy Bible.
John 13:34-35 NASB
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another,” (so far so good, it sounds like I can do this!) “even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” (What?! Splutter, splutter. I can’t love others that way.)
Hmm, let’s see what else Jesus said.
“By this all men will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Let’s go back and see what Jesus said, “even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.”
How has Jesus loved me? Sacrificially!
He left heaven and was born of a virgin… in a stable and laid in a feeding trough for cattle.
He grew up and lived in a real family… in a small town in Israel.
He was wrongfully accused, illegally tried and found guilty. Condemned to die on a cross.
He died on a cross between two guilty thieves… for me and for you.
He was buried in a tomb and was given physical life (resurrected) three days later.
He then proved He was physically alive, with skin, and bones, to many people for 40 days before ascending into heaven.
This is how Jesus showed His love – His sacrificial love for us.
This is how we are to love others – sacrificially loving others as Jesus loved us.
Those are our marching orders from Jesus Himself.
NASB John 13:34-35 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all men will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
~ Take it to heart ~
Followers of Christ: The world is watching…
“By this all men will know you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”