Scripture
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. -John 13:34-35
Jesus marks us as His disciples by our love for one another. If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, people should be able to tell by the love that you display to others. Because of the spirit of rejection, I could not love people as Jesus had loved. I had a fear that my love would be rejected. This caused me to guard my heart at the expense of Godly connections. I loved, yes, but it was difficult to freely show the love that Jesus displayed. The Holy Spirit said to me once, "Daughter, you can't pick and choose who to minister to. You have to love everyone." Rejection was so ingrained in me that I would subconsciously pursue loving relationships with those who I felt would not reject me. God did not call me to that kind of self-serving love.
Jesus said, "....as I have loved you." So, what kind of love was He talking about? Jesus was talking about His sacrificial love as the standard. Displaying this kind of love marks you as a disciple of Christ. Jesus' standard of love was demonstrated in His willingness to die. As His disciples, imitate this selfless, patient, unconditional love to others. This kind of love puts others before self. Our encounters with people should be rooted in unconditional love. We don't love others because there's a good chance that they'd love us back. This kind of love is also not rooted in transaction. We don't love others because they've done things for us. We love unselfishly and freely because Jesus displayed the same kind of love to us.
Beloved, if we're to stand out from the world, then let our sacrificial love for one another be the distinguishing badge that everyone can see. Let this kind of love be a sign to the world that Christ reigns. After all, as a disciple of Christ, the goal is to look like Christ Jesus. Beloved, what kind of love are you displaying to others? Do you want to engage those who you know will reciprocate your love? I had to be delivered from selfish love by an encounter with the true love of the Father. It shifted my spiritual life, and even as I write, His love is present with me in concern for you, Beloved. Love as He has loved you.
Prayer
Father, forgive us for our imperfect love. Fill us with your love, your compassion, and your grace, so that we may live out this commandment, even when it is difficult. Help us to show the world that we are Your disciples by the way we love and serve others, even to the point of sacrifice. In Jesus' name, Amen
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