Friday, August 09, 2013

Love as Jesus Loves (John 15:12-17)


Today's scripture: John 15:12-17

What would this world be like if we really followed Jesus' commandments in today's verses? What if we really loved our brothers and sisters in Christ just as He loves us?

What if no sacrifice was too great? What if we were willing to give everything up for each other? What if there was no cheating or backstabbing or gossip? What if we followed Paul's command to the Philippians in chapter 2, verses 2b-4:

Live in harmony by showing love for each other. Be united in what you think, as if you were only one person. Don't be jealous or proud, but be humble and consider others more important than yourselves. Care about them as much as you care about yourselves ... (CEV)
If we loved each other this way, we would change the world. Truly change the world. Those who don't follow Christ would look at us and see love and service and kindness. They'd see joy and peace and gentleness.

And they'd want what we have.

Instead, they see us behaving ... well, just like they do—and sometimes worse than they do.

It's so simple. Really it is. We just need to remember how loved we are. We are so loved that God the Son was willing to die for us—and He did. He gave everything—everything—for us.

How can we not love others? Let's try it. Let's build-up instead of put-down. Let's show kindness instead of disdain. Let's compliment instead of gossip.

Let's love ... just as Jesus loves.

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