This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
John 15:12
Since reading the last “I am” statement from John 15, I have been thinking of Jesus’s commandment to love other people as he has loved me. I feel convicted of how little I do that. I want to love others well, but I have to admit that too often I get caught up in myself and fall short. What is in front of me takes center stage and I forget to reach out to all the lovely people around me. It is one of my weak spots. When I think about loving others well it is the first thing that pops up, but when I go to scripture loving others is fleshed out even more.
Jesus’ Sermon on the mount is all about how to love others. When angry, we are to reconcile with our brother. We shall not demean our spouses and vows by looking lustfully at others. Nor take divorce lightly. We are to be honest, not liars, trustworthy and letting out word be our bond without oaths and swearing. We are to return good for evil, loving even out enemies. We are to give to the needy in quiet and humble ways, not to lord it over or draw attention to ourselves. He teaches us to pray and emphasizes forgiving each other as we have been forgiven. We are encouraged to not be anxious for material things, that God will provide, allowing us to be generous. We are not to judge others when we ourselves are full of our own sins. We are to ask God for our needs. And, finally, “whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” – the golden rule.
And this is just one teaching on loving others.
In the letters to the churches we are encouraged to love:
+Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.
+through love serve one another
+Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor
+ with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
+stir up one another to love and good works,
+Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
+and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you
It all seems like a tall order when taken together! At which point we can cry out “I am only human!”. Or we can pray that God would work in our hearts to increase the love we have for those around us. And all that I read says that he can! That our love for other people can grow and increase as we pray for them and repent of our own pride and self-centered natures. That is, I believe, an ongoing battle for us all! But it’s a battle worth having. I love that the encouragement Paul gives is to be “patient with one another” and “love covers a multitude of sins”. It is a glimpse into the reality that love isn’t always easy and rosy. It is work! And it works on us!
So today, I hope to “stir us up” to love and good works. We are called not only to love God, but to love ALL people – deserving or not, just as he loves us.
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