How are we doing on loving one another? Does loving one another change if our circumstances change? If we are honest, I think we would say yes. So, what can we learn from the one who loves all the time, regardless of circumstances? Who is that one? That would be Jesus.
Jesus begins this teaching by talking about a vine and its branches. He shows how they are connected if they remain true to one another. He reassures His disciples by saying that He is the vine, and we are the branches. Then He gives this command by saying, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15: 12
Note that loving one another is not a suggestion. It’s a command.
How can we love the unlovable? How can we love when we have been hurt? How can we love when we live in a world that hates? That’s when we rely on the power of the Holy Spirit.
About the world, Jesus addressed this question by saying, “Keep in mind that they (the world) hated Me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” John 15: 18-19
As a believer, if you are being unloved by the world, expect it!
Many have family issues, so what’s the remedy for that? If we are dealing with family conflict, we can learn humility, kindness, patience, and selfless love, through it. We practice this with “The fruit of the Spirit, which is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.” Galatians 5: 22
This version uses the word forbearance for patience. When I looked up the definition, two of its synonyms were restraint and tolerance. Some folks we just have to tolerate in life.
Never forget this truth where it all began, “We love because He first loved us.” 1 John 4: 19
HOW SHOULD WE RESPOND? We ask: “Lord, take us all back to our first love;” a love that is so untainted and pure, straight from the Throne of God. May we never lose our first love with Jesus, that first encounter with Him where we were awakened.
KINGDOM ASSURANCE
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