This past Sunday we continued in our series New Year | New You. If you missed week-two, you can catch up on Facebook now.
As we began this new series two weeks ago, we started with the Biblical truth that in Christ we are a new creation. Because of this truth, we aren’t simply a better, cleaned up version of our old selves. Our nature is new and we are empowered with the Holy Spirit who fills our lives with the fruit of His presence. This love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control, will overflow and impact every area of our lives.
This past Sunday we explored the teaching of Jesus concerning how we interact with other brothers and sisters in Christ. As a reminder, in John 13:34-35, Jesus says: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (ESV) Without the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives and without His help and empowerment, we could never love each other this way. But because of His presence, empowerment, and influence in our lives, we can live lives of radical Christlike love.
Stop for a moment and consider the ways Christ has loved us. If you had to throw out a few words concerning the love of Jesus, what words would you use? We might say that Jesus has loved us:
- Patiently
- Consistently
- Fully
- Graciously
- Compassionately
- Undeservedly
Although I’m confident there are many other words we might use to try and express the way Jesus has loved us, the simple truth is His love for us is unsearchable and inexhaustible. Can we be honest? It’s so hard to love one another this way! On Sunday I challenged you as God has challenged me: Often, we don’t even love those who are closest to us this way, much less other Christians.
In this new year, I hope you will commit to experiencing and sharing the love of Christ in a fresh, practical, daily, consistent way. If you’ve never experienced the love of Christ, it would only make sense that you couldn’t love others the way He has loved you. But, if you have experienced His life changing love, then it is sad when you fail to consistently share that love with others.
During my sermon on Sunday, I shared the Parable of the Good Samaritan from Luke 10:25-37. In this new year, I want to challenge you not just to love other Christians, but to love your neighbor as yourself too. After Jesus told a wonderful story to illustrate who our neighbor is and the kind of compassion and love we should show them, He challenged all those who hear to: “Go, and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37)
As we close today’s devotion, I want to simply challenge you to love others like Jesus has loved you. You can’t do this in your own power, you need God’s help. Today, humble yourself and ask God to give you a heart that loves people the way He loves them. Ask for eyes to see people the way He sees people. As the King of creation showed you mercy and grace, so go and show others that same love.
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