Read John 13:32-38
If You Love God, Then You’ll Love Others.
The time for Jesus’s arrest, and the giving of his life, is soon approaching. He says to his disciples, “My children, I will be with you only a little longer and where I am going you cannot come.”
It’s like Jesus is saying goodbye but does so with the hope for the future. And as one is facing death, it is not uncommon for them to share some final words that are important. Jesus says, “A new commandment 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.”
Jesus is under a lot of pressure and he knows what’s coming in regards to his death, and he knows it won’t be pleasant. But in keeping with obedience to his father, he stays focused. He keeps his eyes on the task and doesn’t change course for anyone or anything. He stays obedient to his father out of love for us and for our benefit. Because of that love he was able to joyfully go to the cross.
How do you respond to God’s words when he says we are to love one another. In fact he says that’s how people will know that you are one of my followers. That means it’s going to be hard sometimes. To love those who love us is easy. But to love those who annoy us or who hate us, is much more difficult.
1st John 4:20-21 says that if you say you love God, but you hate someone else, then you are a liar. 1 John 3:17 says, that if you can’t show love to another, then the love of God is not in you.
So as you think of your love-hate relationships, is there someone you need to apologize to or ask forgiveness from? Or is God calling you to pray and be challenged to go outside your comfort zone and demonstrate Christ’s love? Invest into someone’s life and you will be surprised to hear how their past has broken them and they need God’s love. You have it, so joyfully share it.
