John 15:12 “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (NIV)
When I think of my Savior’s love for me, I am reminded that I did not deserve one ounce of it. I am thankful that Jesus did not say, “I’m tired of doing things for other people. I’m tired of those who expect me to heal them for nothing. I’m tired of those who take everything from me. I’m tired of those who don’t deserve to receive God’s resources or Heaven’s wealth. I’m tired of those who take me for granted and constantly call on God to help them. I’m tired of looking after their spiritual welfare, especially when they neglect their spirits. I’m tired of feeding them when they turn up hungry, looking for food. I’m tired of being treated this way and just won’t save them because they’re just too lazy to save themselves.”
I am grateful to God that Jesus never said that – instead, He loved immensely, broadly, richly, wonderfully, and beautifully. And then He asked His followers to do the same: ‘Love each other as I have loved you.’ His followers, mind you; His disciples, you know the folks like us who call ourselves Christians – we’re meant to love each other in Christ’s way, not on our own terms. There are no boundaries, there are no walls; there are no restrictions, there are no barriers – not if we call ourselves ‘Christians.’
Yep, calling ourselves ‘Christian’ is easy; being a Christian is one of the hardest things to do in life.
So, Christian sister or brother, do we honestly love each other as Christ loves us?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, we confess to being shallow people and hollow Christians. Forgive us when our prejudices prevail and we forsake our faith through pride. Lead us back to be embraced by Your love and then move us forward into the world with Your love. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.