You can’t make it in life without the right relationships. Relationships will make or break your life. You need wisdom and direction on what to do when relationships break
down, and how to cultivate and grow relationships.
Fortunately, God has wisdom and direction about relationships. It all starts with sharing God’s love:
“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 (NIV)
A NEW COMMANDMENT
We are commanded to love one another as Jesus loves us. There is not one person Jesus does not love and did not come to save–this includes someone you walk by on
the street, live next door to, someone you glance at, stand behind in a grocery store line, or sit by in a waiting room.
When we actively love those around us, putting them before ourselves, we are reflecting the same amazing love that Jesus has given to us and we become a living,
breathing, wonderful display of God’s love for all to see.
BIBLICAL LOVE IS NOT A FEELING OR GOOD INTENTIONS
Many people believe love is just a nice, heart-warming feeling. Christians are called to more than just that–we are called to action. Here’s what Jesus said:
“If you love Me, keep My commands.” John 14:15 (NIV)
We are called to take action. We can give grace to those who are annoying and difficult, we can notice the unnoticed, or we can love the unlovely.
Romans 12 gives us Paul’s bullet point of 24 ways to love others:
“Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality. Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath.
Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.” Romans 12:9-16 (Message)
THE BOTTOM LINE
We can’t accomplish the list of loving others from Romans 12 alone—it is humanly impossible. We need help. Let us make it our prayer to ask God for help in actively
loving others–to take action. To actively cook a meal for someone in need, to actively walk across the street to check on someone, to actively visit someone in the hospital.
Ask God to lead you to places where you can reflect His love by loving others. And sometimes when we do this, we will guide people toward His love and they too will
follow the One who loves us with an everlasting love.
