Wouldn’t it be nice if we could just love people however we wish? Our flesh would absolutely love it. If we could forgive however we wanted. What about kindness in general? Possibly to some we would be kind but to others we could treat them as they “deserved.” You know what I am talking about here. Our flesh would love to determine the best way to treat those around us – especially those we do not enjoy or frustrate us or make life difficult for us in some way.
In the midst of a very long conversation this past week, it hit me like a ton of bricks. What hit me like a ton of bricks? The fact that love has a standard. This is not something I did not know; simply a verse that I had not contemplated in a while. I often encourage people to love each other. I usually highlight a couple of key passages like 1 Corinthians 13, Ephesians 5:1-2, Ephesians 5:25-32, or 1 Peter 4:8. But not on this day.
What verse? What is the standard?
Jesus is the Standard for Love!
When Jesus begins one of His very last recorded conversations with His disciples before His death on the cross, He discusses love. He says to them:
34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35, emphasis mine)
It is not enough to just love each other. We could argue that is hard enough. Instead, Jesus identifies His love as the standard for our love. Love each other as He loves.
Jesus’ Love Changes Your Day
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