How To Love Like Jesus
When it comes to loving others, we know it's something we're supposed to do as Christ's followers. I mean, it is what Jesus commanded us to do – love God and love others. But it would be much easier to love people if they were more… loveable! Or is it just me who thinks that?
Relationships are hard, and showing God's love to others when they don't deserve it or when they have wronged us in some way is not the easiest thing to do. Now, loving people is one thing, while embracing them is something entirely different.
We're commanded and called to love all people, but that doesn't mean that we have to bring them into our inner circle or agree with their lifestyle and choices. For some reason, our society has clumped loving people and accepting and celebrating everything about them together. However, the choices a person makes are not who they are. I'm sure we have all made mistakes and would not want those mistakes to define the kind of person we are.
Jesus Is Our Example
The best example we have of how to love people is from Jesus Himself. He had and has a love like no other – a love that propelled Him to give His life for each of us. Therefore, we have much to learn about how Jesus loved people. We will notice that Jesus never got "run over" by people He loved. He also stood for the truth and spoke the truth without belittling anyone. As 1 Corinthians 13:4 says, "Love is kind."
"If anyone sees a fellow believer in need and has the means to help him, yet shows no pity and closes his heart against him, how is it even possible that God's love lives in him? Beloved children, our love can't be an abstract theory we only talk about, but a way of life demonstrated through our loving deeds" (TPT). 1 John 3:16-18
Jesus Was a Servant
Jesus taught his disciples in Mark 10:44-45, "And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." The point of Jesus' ministry was to preach, teach, and heal with a servant's heart. His focus was people, and His motive was love.
Jesus shared His gifts with everyone who would receive them. We, too, have gifts given to us that we are to serve others with. 1 Peter 4:9-10 says, "Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God."
What talent, ability, or know-how do you possess? It might seem trivial to you, but you are to use whatever God gave you to serve others. Maybe you love to cook and bake. Share that gift with that busy momma who feels like she doesn't have time to breathe, let alone cook a decent meal. Do you have the gift of building and fixing things? Bless someone with that gift whenever you hear of a need. Are you great at building people up? The Bible calls that an edifier. The body of Christ needs you to give that encouragement. We each have been given unique gifts not just for ourselves but to be used for the body of Christ.
Jesus was a Lover
Yes, we're talking about loving like Jesus, but the greatest reason to love others is because He first loved us, as 1 John 4:19 says. We certainly can love others if Jesus can love you and me despite our flaws and weird quirks.
Again, loving people doesn't always look like flowers and roses! Love also tells the truth and helps guide a brother or sister in Christ from making a mistake.
Jesus was a Giver
Giving and serving go hand-in-hand. Jesus was generous with His resources. He wasn't frivolous, but He was led by God, and if God directed Him to give, He did. How many times have we felt like we were supposed to give financially, or give a talent, or give of our time, but instead, we gave an excuse as to why we couldn't do it? Friend, when we stand before God one day, no excuse is going to work. We should practice (and become good at) seeing a need and filling a need.
We need to view all of our giving as sowing a seed instead of something we're losing. Too many people see giving as subtracting from what they have when the truth is that God multiplies your seed back to you. Luke 6:38 says, "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." You will never be able to outgive God. If He has put it on your heart to give, get ready to receive. That doesn't mean we give just to get something back. Nonetheless, it is a part of God's economy. When we give (sow)in love, we can expect a harvest back.
Jesus Is a Restorer
Thank God He sent Jesus to the world to redeem us and restore us back to having a relationship with Him. Our Christianity shouldn't be based on religious acts but rather on this restored relationship. We, too, are called to restore others. Relationships are one of God's greatest priorities and, therefore, need to be ours.
Is there a relationship in your life that has been estranged? Have you let unforgiveness and strife put a wedge between you and a friend or loved one? Loving others like Jesus leaves no room for offense.
Let's purpose to love others like Jesus. Let's strive to serve, love, give, and restore those whom we come into contact with. Together, we can be Jesus' hands and feet and love like He loved.
