Elemental: S2 - Day 32
John 13:35 “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”
There is something genuinely wonderful about capping our rebuild with the umbrella of love. What is more important than hearing that the Creator of heaven and earth is head over heels in love with us? It gives me more patience with my faith when I realize God’s devotion and risky commitment to us.
But I have learned that love is best experienced by giving it away. The love of Jesus is always on the move. So, accepting it means allowing it to flow through us. It’s not surprising that He asks that we love one another. He says His body of believers will be known for love.
The New Testament writers repeatedly urge that we love one another. But it’s not really a request. It’s more of an explanation. 1 Peter 4:8 says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” Despite flaws in our rebuilt house of faith, if we include the kind of love that reminds us of God, we’ll be okay.
Let’s pause here to discuss who “one another” might mean. When Jesus is asked about the greatest commandment in Matthew 22, He points to love. He responds, “Love God and love our neighbor.” When asked about the identity of our neighbor in Luke 10, Jesus expands our understanding with the parable of the Good Samaritan. And then, in Matthew 5, He takes it further by saying we shouldn’t stop at loving our neighbor as ourselves. We should love our enemies. Apparently, “one another” is everyone.
I recently overheard something on a podcast that haunts me. A participant said, “There is no hate quite like Christian love.” Wow, that’s disturbing. It doesn’t sound like their experience was about love at all. He was probably reflecting on how often Christians are seen fighting, condemning and judging the world around us while seeming to only love ourselves. But Jesus won’t justify any reason to withhold love. His command is universal. Love one another. Maybe the test of whether we love at all is how well we love the person most “other” than us.
Then, right as we’re ready to try loving everyone, Jesus switches things up. Rather than loving others as we love ourselves, He asks that we love one another as He loves us. (John 13:34) He says this just before going to the cross to die for us.
Crosswalk challenges our community to “Lovewell.” This is big. It means to love universally and deeply. It calls us to experiment with new and extravagant ways to sacrifice for those most different from us. “Lovewell” is a request to love like Jesus.
1. Who do you find irritating and challenging to be around? Why is that?
2. Are there two people whom you love being around and naturally connect with? Why do you think that is?
3. What characteristic makes you most difficult to love? What would you like to say to Jesus about that?
There is something genuinely wonderful about capping our rebuild with the umbrella of love. What is more important than hearing that the Creator of heaven and earth is head over heels in love with us? It gives me more patience with my faith when I realize God’s devotion and risky commitment to us.
But I have learned that love is best experienced by giving it away. The love of Jesus is always on the move. So, accepting it means allowing it to flow through us. It’s not surprising that He asks that we love one another. He says His body of believers will be known for love.
The New Testament writers repeatedly urge that we love one another. But it’s not really a request. It’s more of an explanation. 1 Peter 4:8 says, “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” Despite flaws in our rebuilt house of faith, if we include the kind of love that reminds us of God, we’ll be okay.
Let’s pause here to discuss who “one another” might mean. When Jesus is asked about the greatest commandment in Matthew 22, He points to love. He responds, “Love God and love our neighbor.” When asked about the identity of our neighbor in Luke 10, Jesus expands our understanding with the parable of the Good Samaritan. And then, in Matthew 5, He takes it further by saying we shouldn’t stop at loving our neighbor as ourselves. We should love our enemies. Apparently, “one another” is everyone.
I recently overheard something on a podcast that haunts me. A participant said, “There is no hate quite like Christian love.” Wow, that’s disturbing. It doesn’t sound like their experience was about love at all. He was probably reflecting on how often Christians are seen fighting, condemning and judging the world around us while seeming to only love ourselves. But Jesus won’t justify any reason to withhold love. His command is universal. Love one another. Maybe the test of whether we love at all is how well we love the person most “other” than us.
Then, right as we’re ready to try loving everyone, Jesus switches things up. Rather than loving others as we love ourselves, He asks that we love one another as He loves us. (John 13:34) He says this just before going to the cross to die for us.
Crosswalk challenges our community to “Lovewell.” This is big. It means to love universally and deeply. It calls us to experiment with new and extravagant ways to sacrifice for those most different from us. “Lovewell” is a request to love like Jesus.
1. Who do you find irritating and challenging to be around? Why is that?
2. Are there two people whom you love being around and naturally connect with? Why do you think that is?
3. What characteristic makes you most difficult to love? What would you like to say to Jesus about that?
No Comments