1 John 4:7-11 (NKJV): Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. 10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another
Consider this, one of the biggest things Jesus taught us was love. Where ever He went, he showed compassion to those who needed it either by healing, providing food, teaching, correction, or whatever was needed. Of course, we know the biggest act of Love was when He died on the cross, taking a punishment that He did not deserve so that we did not have to take the punishment that we definitely deserved.
Matthew 22:37-40 (NKJV): Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
We see that even Jesus quoted what was already said about love from Deuteronomy 6; Love God above all, Love your neighbors. This is something that we see throughout the Bible, to love like God does.
John 13:34-35 (NKJV): A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
Luke 6:27-36 (NKJV): “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. 29 To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either. 30 Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him who takes away your goods do not ask them back. 31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise. 32 “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. 35 But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. 36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful”
We’re seeing a trend in The Body of Christ where it appears that we can love the unbeliever easier than our brothers and sisters. We need to remember that Jesus told us to show that we are His disciples, we definitely need to show love to all.
Have you fallen into having difficulty of loving others? Do you find yourself showing love to those who are not following Christ easier than those in The Body? Even if they don’t agre with everything you say?
I want to encourage you to turn it around today. Let’s get back on track and follow Jesus in what He would want for us to do. After all, He set the example.
Call out to Him and seek his Love and Forgiveness. It really is as hard or easy as you make it.
We should look to Him daily to seek a relationship with Him. I want to encourage you to seek Him today, if you haven’t already. If you need help, have questions or need direction in this regard, please, feel free to let me know.
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Any scripture referenced here is taken from New King James Version (NKJV) unless otherwise noted
