A Call to Love

If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. (James 2:8-9)

I admit that I have broken God’s Law a time or two or maybe I should say at least a million times.  I know that my thoughts don’t always line up with God’s Word and I’m learning to take each thought captive (2 Corinthians 10:5).  I know there are times I’ve shown favor to some and not others.  I know that I’ve said things, done things, and lived things that aren’t pleasing to the Lord.  As I daily walk with the Lord, I come to understand my sinfulness all the better.  I have definitely broken God’s Law to “Love others as myself.”

How are you doing with this?  Do you love others like God has called you to love them?

“A new command I give you:  Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)

Does your love towards others show that you love God?  Are people experiencing the love of the Father through you?  Here’s a better look at what love would look like, if we lived it out.  From the perspective of 1 Corinthians 13:4-8…

I am patient,

I am kind.

I do not envy,

I do not boast,

I am not proud.

I’m not rude,

I’m not self-seeking,

I’m not easily angered,

I keep no record of wrongs.

I do not delight in evil,

but I rejoice with the truth.

I always protect,

always trust,

always hope,

and always persevere.

My love never fails. 

I placed “I” in there on purpose because I think we need to see what love looks like when we truly live it out.  Is there something in this passage of Scripture that was difficult for you to say?  I know there are many parts I’m working on.  What needs to change in you, so that you can walk through this passage of Scripture believing that your love is everything God called it to be?

“We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19)

Dear Father God,  Please increase my love for others.  Please help me to see others through Your eyes.  May I remember that I too am loved through my stubbornness, selfishness, and pride.  May I love others knowing this is possible because You first loved me.  Love is an action that I choose to walk out daily before You.  I choose to love others because You first loved me.

Loving Others,