“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (Jo 15:12).

Jesus’ love for us should be the benchmark of our love for others. It’s not about how our society defines love. It’s not even about whether or not our brethren, friends and family deserve it or not. The remarkable thing about Christ’s love for us is precisely that He loved us while we were yet sinners (Rom 5:8). He still loves us in spite of our flaws and sins. It’s highly significant that God loved the world so much in our lost state that He gave His best for our redemption (Jo 3:16). Likewise, we shouldn’t wait for our fellow believers to change before we can love them. We should not just love those with whom we “click”! If Jesus waited for you to click with Him before saving you, where would you be? Likewise don’t wait for those around you to shape up before you can forgive or love them. Learn to say with Jesus, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they do” (Lu 23:34). That’s the Lord’s mandate for every genuine Christian–to love others the way Jesus loves us. Let’s do it.

Pastor Josh