Love One Another as Christ Loves Us

John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.(NKJV)

John 15:12
This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. (NKJV)

Jesus gave us an important command in John 13:34-35. He said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Later on, in John 15:12, he said, "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." Jesus loved us enough to give His very own life for us. I don't know that we could ever fully measure up to that in loving another, but He has commanded us to try and love others in the same way. To love sacrificially; to love in a way that gives.

You know, that kind of love is the greatest gift of all gifts. It is something we can give that doesn't really cost us anything financially; it may cost us time and energy. It may cost us our own desires in giving them up to do something someone else desires. It may cost us a lot of energy as we give and give and give, but you know that the ways the love of the Lord comes come back to us are incomprehensible. It is more than we can measure when we love sacrificially, the gifts that we get in return is beyond measure.

Shakespeare said of love: "Love comforteth like sunshine after the rain." Isn't that a neat thought? That love is just refreshing.

As you reach out to others today, reach out not in your own strength, but asking Christ to love them through you. Ask Him to help you love others as He has loved us. That love knows no limits, goes beyond all comprehension; that pays big dividends my friend - enjoy loving others as Christ has loved you.

By Dr. Ann Shorb

Find out more about Christian counseling.

Related Articles and Devotionals:
Love One Another? Why?
How to Grow in Your Walk with Christ
God: Our Loving Father

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