Jesus was asked which of God’s commandments was the most important. "Jesus replied, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’" Matthew 22:37-39
When we experience God’s unconditional love for us, love that we have received as a gift and not through our own efforts, we have a model for how we are to love others. God’s love for us should affect the way we love others – both those who know Christ and those who do not.
When you believed in Jesus Christ, you became a child of God. This means that you became a part of God’s family. Another way that the Bible refers to this is the body of Christ or the church.
God intends for us to love and care for one another in much the same way as that of a loving family. We are to help each other grow in our understanding of God and what it means to follow Him. When we do this, God’s love is on display for others to see.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35
God has placed you in his family to give as well as to receive. You have a role to play.
“And, let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another...” Hebrews 10:24-25
Where can you find a community of people who will encourage you as you develop your relationship with God?
God wants other people to have a relationship with Him, too. He loves them! One of the ways this happens is by Him being seen and known through our words and actions. We are His ambassadors. When we choose to love, people see what God is like, and it can make them hungry to know Him.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God wants to extend His love for others through us. This may be through kind words, acts of service, sharing the good news of how to know Jesus, standing up for justice, forgiving others who have wronged you, giving generously and many more ways.
How can you extend God’s love to someone today?
Jesus, thank you for forgiving my sins and placing me in God’s family. I admit that I need others to help me to grow in my faith. Lead me to people who love you and can help me to understand more about who you are and what you have planned for me. Help me to give and receive as part of your family. Be on display through my words and actions so that others might come to know you. Amen.
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