DEVOTION – DAY 397

John 13:34 “Love One Another”

John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By thus everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

In a sense, the command to love one another was not a new command. God commanded the Israelites to love one another in Leviticus 19:18. But when Jesus gave this command to His disciples, it was new to them because it was the mark of their special bond created by His great love for them. Jesus told them that the standard to love one another is just as He Himself has loved them. We are to love one another as Christ has loved us. That was the standard set. This kind of love for one another is to be the distinguishing mark for all followers of Jesus Christ.

It is easy to love others of they reciprocate by loving us back. It is easy to love others of they are loveable. It is easy to love others if they deserve our love. It is easy to love others of they are from the same background and share many common interests with us. It is not so easy to love others if they are difficult to get along with, or if they are always complaining or impatient or demanding people. But Jesus Christ loved people unconditionally and we who are His followers are commanded to love others unconditionally.

We know someone who is self-centered and thinks the world revolved around her and her needs. She would expect everyone to give in to her wishes and when she does not get her way, she would complain about it. She thinks she is always right. Because of that, she is known to be difficult and many people would avoid having anything to do with her. In order to interact with her, we prayed and asked the Lord to help us see her through His eyes. We would extend patience and a listening ear to her and redirect her, whenever she is on the verge of complaining about others. We would show her love even though our love may not be reciprocated or we may even be taken advantaged of. We pray that our actions would point her to the love of the Lord Jesus Christ, for she is an unbeliever. We pray that His love will one day change her should she call on Him as her Lord and Savior.

Let us pray: Heavenly Father, we worship you as the God who is love. Thank you for loving us first whilst we were still sinners. Please help us to love others as you have loved us for your glory. We pray this in the most wonderful name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Questions:

1. Who do you know need Christ’ love in their lives? Will you love them unconditionally so that they will experience Christ’ love through you?
2. How can you show others unconditional love in practical ways especially those who are not so loveable in your life? Share and Discuss.
3. What are some ways you have experienced unconditional love from others in the past that have drawn you to Christianity because it had given you a strong impression?