Walking In Love
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." - John 13:34
Love is not just a warm feeling or an emotion that comes and goes; it is a choice. It is an action verb. Jesus did not just tell us to love; He showed us exactly how to love by laying down His life for us.
The love Jesus calls us to is not natural; it is supernatural. It is the kind of love that forgives when forgiveness isn't deserved, serves when service isn't appreciated, and gives when giving isn't convenient. This isn't the transactional love of the world that says "I'll love you if you love me back." This is agape love, unconditional and sacrificial. It is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. It is the defining mark of a true disciple. The world will know we belong to Jesus not by our bumper stickers or our t-shirts, but by the way we love people who are hard to love.
I have learned that the hardest people to love are often the ones who need love the most. I once had a neighbor who was incredibly rude and abrasive, and my natural instinct was to avoid him or be rude back. But God convicted me to show him kindness. I started shoveling his driveway in the winter and waving hello. Over time, his walls came down. We eventually became friends, and I learned about the deep pain in his life that caused his anger. Love broke through where arguments never could.
Think of someone in your life who is hard to love. Ask God to fill your heart with His love for that person, and then take one practical step to show them kindness today, expecting nothing in return.
Jesus, thank You for loving me unconditionally, even when I was unlovable. Fill my heart with Your love so that I can love others the way You love me. Help me to be a reflection of Your love in this world. In Your name, Amen.
Love is not just a warm feeling or an emotion that comes and goes; it is a choice. It is an action verb. Jesus did not just tell us to love; He showed us exactly how to love by laying down His life for us.
The love Jesus calls us to is not natural; it is supernatural. It is the kind of love that forgives when forgiveness isn't deserved, serves when service isn't appreciated, and gives when giving isn't convenient. This isn't the transactional love of the world that says "I'll love you if you love me back." This is agape love, unconditional and sacrificial. It is only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit working in us. It is the defining mark of a true disciple. The world will know we belong to Jesus not by our bumper stickers or our t-shirts, but by the way we love people who are hard to love.
I have learned that the hardest people to love are often the ones who need love the most. I once had a neighbor who was incredibly rude and abrasive, and my natural instinct was to avoid him or be rude back. But God convicted me to show him kindness. I started shoveling his driveway in the winter and waving hello. Over time, his walls came down. We eventually became friends, and I learned about the deep pain in his life that caused his anger. Love broke through where arguments never could.
Think of someone in your life who is hard to love. Ask God to fill your heart with His love for that person, and then take one practical step to show them kindness today, expecting nothing in return.
Jesus, thank You for loving me unconditionally, even when I was unlovable. Fill my heart with Your love so that I can love others the way You love me. Help me to be a reflection of Your love in this world. In Your name, Amen.
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9 Comments
It’s times like these I really feel so close. I mean it goes deep. It’s happened so many times yet it still gives me goosebumps. He said you were odd I made you even. I hear you are wrong behold I will make you right. It’s crazy. Anyway I do love you guys. I’ve never had a home in a church before even though I was raised at church of reconciliation off starcrest. Even for relatives ashes out there and on tombstones. But this is entirely different. I’m not learning and socializing. I’m experiencing a real live relationship with God. Thank you so much for being here to help guide us on our journey.
Love this! I have said “the people who need love the most are usually the ones hardest to love” for decades. It’s true! My wife demonstrated this with a really ugly neighbor in Virginia. So proud of her!
Love and care for all.
Pastor Ed you said it all thank you. Praise God for his goodness. Amen, keep looking up
amén!
I struggle with this one. Yet I feel that God is trying to tell me something at the same time. I just feel that when I do try to show love and show kindness, it's a waste of time.
n
nI do it because it takes a lot of energy to hate and be ugly. Plus, God doesn't want me to be that way, and I don't want to be that way. Being a new christian, ( couple of yrs) and being the person I was,
Amen thank you Pastor Ed for this reminder..that choosing to love those who are the hardest to love is what we are called to do.
Thank you, pastor Ed
nLove all , amen
I needed to hear this today. There is someone in my life who has hurt me beyond words. I've been angry, sad, mad, devistated, and all the other negative emotions you could have. I'm working on forgiveness and healing but it can be so difficult. I love reading your daily messages because they remind me I'm not alone in this season.