Love Like Jesus
We know that we have passed from death unto life,
because we love the brethren. He that loveth not
his brother abideth in death
(1 John 3:14).
Walking in love isn’t an option for the
Christian, and one major characteristic of
love is that it forgives. You must always forgive others,
irrespective of what they might have done against you.
It doesn’t matter the extent of hatred and acrimony
you may experience from certain people, you have
the obligation to love and forgive those who hurt or
persecute you, like Jesus did.
Imagine His reaction to those who crucified Him;
He looked up to heaven and said, “...Father, forgive
them; for they know not what they do...” (Luke 23:34).
He overlooked their ignorance and forgave their
wrongs. Always be quick to forgive. Don’t say, “But
what he did was so terrible”; there’s no wrong that
doesn’t deserve forgiveness. Jesus proved it.
Stephen did too; read his story: the Jews stirred
up false charges against him for preaching the Gospel
and ordered his execution. The Bible says, “…as the
murderous stones came hurtling at him, Stephen…fell
to his knees, shouting, ‘Lord, don’t charge them with
this sin!’ and with that, he died” (Acts 7:59-60 TLB).
He cried out to God to forgive those who murdered
him.
As you take stock and round off the year, one
thing you must ensure is to look into your life and
confidently say that you hold nothing against anyone.
Even the most difficult people, under the most difficult
circumstances, still deserve to be loved.
God wants you to know that all people are
valuable to Him, irrespective of how you may feel
about them. Train yourself to relate with everyone
around you in this manner. Never judge or condemn
others. Follow the example of the Master. He said
in Matthew 5:44-45, “…Love your enemies, bless
them that curse you, do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them which despitefully use you, and
persecute you; That ye may be the children of your
Father which is in heaven….”
Prayer
Dear Father, just as youve loved me, I’ve made up my mind to
love like you—unconditionally. The compassion of Christ is
expressed through me today. My heart is full of love, because the
love of God is shed abroad in my heart by the Holy Ghost, to
see the beauty and true value of others, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Further Study
Matthew 5:43-46; 1 John 4:7-12
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Revelation 19:1-10
Zechariah 7-8
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
Acts 4:13-22
Ezra 6