Read:

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

Galatians 5:14 “For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Think:

“To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless.” 

• K Chesterton

Most people use the word “love” to describe how they feel  about chocolate or cheeseburgers. We say, “I love New York,” or “I love the beach but love has many different meanings and connotations. Agape love is selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love. Agape is a choice we make to love someone else whether they love us back or not. It isn’t based on emotions; it is an act of the will.

To love when there is no love returned is the challenge. The Bible even commands us to love our enemies. This sacrificial love walks in inconvenience, discomfort and hardship. Loving people that have hurt us or mistreated us is a struggle, and this kind of love only comes from Jesus. Without Jesus this kind of unselfish love is daunting, but with Jesus He has promised to help.

The truth is we won't like everyone, but we make a choice to show love, to show kindness like Jesus. Walking in love is treating others with compassion, with forgiveness. To love like Jesus is to walk in surrender. It’s a choice to look like Him.

Application:

God has called us and equipped us to love. We can show love to people who make us uncomfortable. Today make a choice to be kind to someone you would rather avoid. Go out of your way to be positive. Offer a compliment, take the initiative and show kindness, be present for someone who has mistreated you.

Pray:

Lord, help me to be unselfish. Teach me to love as You love. Help me show kindness, patience, tolerance, and mercy like You. Amen.