That Jesus Love

February 26, 2018

It’s easy for me to tell the world that I am a Christian, but showing them, well that’s a totally different story. Jesus says something striking in John 13:34-35, He tells His disciples, “So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”

That’s a hard kind of love
That love that I can’t give in my own strength because I am human with many frailties. My feelings are hurt easily and I am sometimes tempted to turn off my love. But I tap into the grace of God and ask Him to fill me with the ability to love even when it’s hard and I just don’t want to. Yeah that Jesus love.

A dedicated & patient love
That kind of love that says I am dedicated to walk life out with you. I am willing to pray and fast you to victory, when you fall. I am here to cry with you when life gets hard. I won’t abandon you and condemn you at your weakest moments, but I will be there to help you. And when you win, well I will be the loudest one cheering! Yeah that Jesus love.

A forgiving & merciful love
When you hurt me in the same way you did last week, and I am willing to be merciful and release you of the continued offense. I won’t seek to slander you by constantly repeating to others the things you did to hurt me. I ask God to help me to forgive you as many times necessary and I chose to love you anyway. Yeah that Jesus love.

A serving love
I am willing to ask, “how can I serve you?” I listen to your answer and I follow through. When I am done serving, I expect nothing in return and I don’t look for ways to tell others what I did for you. Instead I serve with a joyful heart knowing that in my service, I am imitating Jesus. Yeah that Jesus love.

An inconvenient love
Like when I don’t want to give up my free time to be there for you. Watch your kids for you. Help you clean your house. Listen to your problems during the time that I had planned to listen to that powerful sermon on loving my brothers and sisters. Come visit you when I really want to take a nap, but I know you need the company. Yeah that Jesus love.

That accountability love
That love that tells you the hard things even though I know you will be mad at me. I tell you the truth because I love you and I am concerned about your soul. The love that asks you the hard-uncomfortable questions. The love that convinces you that I am trustworthy, and you can confess your sins to me knowing I will pray for you instead of condemn you. Yeah that Jesus love.

That encouraging love
I am not jealous of you. Instead I find ways to sincerely encourage you in your gifts and calling even if you don’t encourage me in mine. I listen as you giddily share the BIG dreams God has given you. I pray more than you may realize that these dreams will indeed come to pass. And when you become discouraged because fear and doubt creep in, I am right there encouraging you with the word of God. Yeah that Jesus love.

Our actions should always speak louder than our words. Let us show the world that Jesus kind of love in the ways we love each other! What aspects of the Jesus kind of love is hard for you to live out? Leave me a comment, I would love to hear from you.