Devotional: Love Like Jesus
Written by: Monty Harp
Written by: Monty Harp
We are called to love each other!
“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.” John 13:34-35 NIV
Jesus didn’t suggest it as a good way for us to live – He commanded we love each other as He loved us; and He died for us! (Let that sink in!)
He also had just washed the disciples feet before He said this:
“And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” John 13:14-15 NLT
If we look at how Jesus operated and taught, He is our model. We should be loving to ALL people:
- those we don’t know
- those who hate us
- those who treat us badly
- those who hurt us
- those random people we encounter (as in a grocery store clerk, restaurant server, customer service rep, etc.)
- as well as our family and friends
“God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16 NIV“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:14, 16 NKJV
If we are to shine as light, we must shine even in hard conditions as well as everyday occurrences.
“We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.” 1 John 4:19-20 NIV
Though it may be hard at times, there will be times that it’s not and it’s all very rewarding. No matter what the challenges, Holy Spirit is there to help us through every scenario and empower us. Love is what gets us out of selfishness.
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” Romans 12:10 NIV
Love will always breed love in the end and our Lord knows better than us. Let us be obedient and love as He loves, we will always benefit. We can’t go wrong following Jesus. When we strive to love like Him, we find freedom from sinful living. Let’s not love like the world, but rather, love like Jesus.
“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” 1 Peter 4:8 NIV“So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free.” John 8:36 NLT“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13 NLT
Songs:
Prayer target: You
Today, pray over yourself. Are there any areas in your life where you need to walk more in love.
- Ask the Lord to help you to change your heart and actions to love more like He does
- Grace to forgive others who may have hurt you in the past
- Ask the Father to give you a greater understanding of the Father’s love for you
- Pray for the success of the upcoming 321 Fest, an upcoming faith based community event in Viera, Florida
