Love One Another

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, ESV

Love one another.

I don’t like these verses very much because I find it very difficult to do! I don’t love everybody! People can make my head hurt. There are just some people that I don’t like; let alone love. But these verses do not give us any wiggle room. We are commanded to love one another. When our feathers get ruffled, we are hard pressed to love those annoying, whining, needy people that He sets before us. 

We must first recognize them as a child of God. That is very difficult for me. Why did God make such people so irritating? I was once told that the things that make us dislike another person are the same traits we have. Their behavior brings out the worst in us. 

Google tells us that Jesus loved with sacrificial, humble, and unconditional care (when He washed His disciples' feet). This love is meant to be the primary, visible sign that identifies a person as a follower of Jesus, surpassing mere words, titles, or religious rituals.

The problem still remains buried deep inside. Are we able to separate the person from the behaviors or character traits? Knowing the back story may make the task less troublesome. 

We do not have to like someone’s personality or mannerisms to want the best for them. Personally, I don’t want the best for those who constantly lie, gossip, or deceive others. It is very hard to wish them well. But Jesus did wash Judas’s feet before he left to betray Him. 

There is some good in all people. Find it and hold it tightly especially when your gut feeling wants to explode and scream, “Get lost!” We must rely on grace rather than our own strength. Human patience naturally runs out, which is why God’s word teaches us to lean on Him.

Loving others requires prayer. Before any words are spoken, pray for yourself and the other person. Cultivating patience, kindness, and prayer actively transforms bitterness into a spirit of forgiveness

If it were not possible to love others, this command would never have shown up.

Get busy and love one another!

They’ll Know We Are Christians

Loving Lord, thank You for Your unconditional love. Help me to love others. Give me the strength to deal with those who need Your love. AMEN.