A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; As I have loved you, that you also love one another – John 13:34
The heart of God is full of love. The bible declares that “God is love” (1 John 4:8) and “Love is of God” (1 John 4:7). “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Mathew 5:45). He loves everyone! God showed us how much He loved us when He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us on the cross – the perfect sacrifice for our sins. The bible declares, “for God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). This is God’s greatest love gift – “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
We were created in His image and likeness, and therefore, are capable of loving like Him. God wants us to love Him and our fellow man. But, we can only love when Jesus comes into our hearts. When Jesus takes residence in your heart, His person becomes your person, His attitude becomes your attitude, His loving heart becomes your loving heart. You begin to love God and man as He loves. And you do that effortlessly. When Jesus lives in your heart, you don’t have to try to love. You simply love! “…because as He is, so are [you] in this world” (1 John 1:17).
And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
1 John 4:21
Don’t focus on the action to love but know and believe that you, beloved, are full of God’s love because Christ lives in you “…the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5). Don’t focus on trying to love God and your brother. Instead, focus on Jesus’s love for you, keep your eyes on Him, and you will love both God and your brother. The King James version declares the previous scripture beautifully…
And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
1 John 4:21 (KJV)
Jesus loves you!
He took your place of punishment so you can love!
Meditate on…
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another – John 13:34
MESSAGE: Jesus loves you
