We are instructed to love one another as God loved us. John 13:34-35 says, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” WEB
You may hear frequently in news reports or from other people about the turmoil that the world is in. It would seem that most people don't know what Jesus said about us loving one another. We have to love our neighbors as ourselves. That goes against our human nature, because we often want to do things that are pleasing only to ourselves.
Fulfilling this commandment sometimes means we have to step out of our comfort zone. We can show the love of God to others by an act of kindness or by a kind word or by sharing, as was mentioned in a previous lesson. Jesus said that if we simply love each other, others would know who we follow, they would know that we are disciples of His. I believe this is true.
Another peculiar thing He instructed us to do was to love our enemies. Obviously it is hard to just love an enemy, but it is not the person who you have to defeat, it is the attitude and the spirit working inside them that you have to overcome. The person who is afflicting you may very well be the one who needs your prayers the most. God can change that persons attitude and mindset. Praying for someone is one of the best ways to demonstrate God's love for them. Of course it's not always easy to do. I would pray to see the person the same way that God sees them, because God sees with compassion. Where there is compassion, there can be no hate. Where there is love, you will find friendship. God's love is perfect and His love never fails. God loves us unconditionally so we should do the same for others.
You may hear frequently in news reports or from other people about the turmoil that the world is in. It would seem that most people don't know what Jesus said about us loving one another. We have to love our neighbors as ourselves. That goes against our human nature, because we often want to do things that are pleasing only to ourselves.
Fulfilling this commandment sometimes means we have to step out of our comfort zone. We can show the love of God to others by an act of kindness or by a kind word or by sharing, as was mentioned in a previous lesson. Jesus said that if we simply love each other, others would know who we follow, they would know that we are disciples of His. I believe this is true.
Another peculiar thing He instructed us to do was to love our enemies. Obviously it is hard to just love an enemy, but it is not the person who you have to defeat, it is the attitude and the spirit working inside them that you have to overcome. The person who is afflicting you may very well be the one who needs your prayers the most. God can change that persons attitude and mindset. Praying for someone is one of the best ways to demonstrate God's love for them. Of course it's not always easy to do. I would pray to see the person the same way that God sees them, because God sees with compassion. Where there is compassion, there can be no hate. Where there is love, you will find friendship. God's love is perfect and His love never fails. God loves us unconditionally so we should do the same for others.
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