Today’s devotion is based on the Message: Love Revealed (Watch Here)
Love one another AS you have been loved.
As the Apostle John said, (1 John 4:11) Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” Love for others ONLY comes as a response to and result of God’s love for us. If we take the words, “We are to love everyone” without the definition and example of God’s love for us in Christ, we will fail to love as Jesus directs us to.
So what might that love look like as we love others?
First, let’s define love based on the last days of looking at God’s love for us.
Love is a choice to act on behalf of and seek the good of others, even at personal cost, regardless of their response or worthiness.
So what does agape love look in our relationships with others?
We are willing to put others first.
This direction doesn’t mean a person has no self-care or take time for themselves, but is willing to put the needs of others first rather live life with a focus on self and taking advantage of people for one’s own self interest. The Apostle Paul put it this way: Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. 14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
Ground your love for others in truth.
Remember that part of loving is warning a person of the spiritual dangers of their behavior. Love is redirecting a person from the lies of Satan to the truth of God’s Word. Love is not based on your opinion but really helping someone understand and walk in the ways of the Lord. Just as we would want someone to love us enough to tell us the truth. Here’s some guidance from the Apostle Paul: 1 Corinthians 13:6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Ephesians 4:14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
Do not expect a return.
Love does not come with strings attached. When you show up for work and get paid, that is not love, that is a job. Love acts without expectation of repayment. Sure someone may respond with a gesture of thanks, but that’s not the motivation to act in love. Love acts without expecting a return. Again Paul writes, Philippians 2:3-4 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you
should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of
others.
Finally, love when it’s tough.
Sometimes people are an “extra love opportunity.” People you struggle to get along with or people who are outright mean to you are hard to love. Even in situations where you are with your spouse or best friend, they push your buttons and you feel like lashing out…it’s tough to love. Love calls us to love even when it is tough. Jesus said in Luke 6:32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even ‘sinners’ lend to ‘sinners,’ expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.
To say, “Love one another,” is easy. To do it is hard. But remember, the power and direction for loving others is AS Jesus has loved you. Let his love fill you so that you can fill others’ lives with his love. The result?
John 13:35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Apply: What aspect of loving others is most challenging to you? Can you think of an example of how Jesus loved in that situation? How can it help you to love?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for loving us so genuinely and deeply. I ask that your love would every day become more real for me so that I might love others just as you have loved me. AMEN.