God desires that I live a life of holiness but as I interact with the world where He has placed me, He wants me to have a love for others. Why is that? I was pondering this question and decided that my first love is for God, and then I need to love myself and others as God loves us.
Matthew 19:19…”You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” John 15:12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” Galatians 5:14 “For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'” Jesus and then the apostles were very insistent that the way we show others our love for God is by loving ourselves and those around us. Why is that so hard? It sounds easy on the surface but in a world driven by selfish desires it is often easy to get sidetracked by our own wants and needs. God tells us to avoid hatred, envy, malice, bitterness and hostility towards our fellow man. Paul speaks of this in
Ephesians 4:31-32 “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” It is too easy to let our own desires step in front of our desire to follow Christ and treat one another with love and compassion. It is a challenge that needs to be met with prayer and thanksgiving. Let your week be filled with goodness towards others as Christ would desire for you.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for Jesus and His sacrificial love that shows me how to love and treat my family, friends, neighbors, and enemies. Give me a genuine love for those around me and help me to see their needs. Give me compassion for them that I would desire to pray for them and speak words of love over their problems and concerns. Help me to grow more and more like Jesus. Amen.
Blessings as you strive to live like Jesus this week and love one another.
Linda
Where do you spend time interacting with others? Show God’s love right where He has placed you!
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