“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” 1 John 4:20-21 NIV
If we do not love others here on Earth, how can we ever love God, Whom we have not seen? If we hate the people we see face-to-face every day, how can we say that we love Him every second of our lives? Our love for others mirrors how we really love the Lord.
We will never be able to say that we love Him at the same time we hate other people; for we are called to love them the way God loves us. May it be showing them kindness, patience, and even constantly forgiving their shortcomings. These are all part of God’s command to love others as we love ourselves. It is difficult, but it always demonstrates how God loves us the same.
Pray to experience His love first
“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19
To be able to be fully known and still be fully loved is something that only God can do. It is supernatural- something beyond our power. That is why we need to experience His love first and foremost so that it will be easier for us to demonstrate it to others. Remember that we cannot love others on our own.
Jesus, thank You for dying on the cross to pay the penalty for my sins. Because of this, I now have the privilege of being called a child of God. That’s how much You love me. And I now have the capability to love others because You first demonstrated it. But Lord, I know I cannot give what I do not possess. So I ask that You let me experience this sacrificial and unconditional love that only comes from You, so I may be able to show this to others. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pray to be selfless
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4
Our sinful nature hinders us from becoming more like Christ every day. Usually, we fail to show humility towards other people because we value our own interests before theirs. We always want to put our needs first before fulfilling theirs. But the Bible is very clear when it says to do nothing out of selfish ambition, for we are called not to be entitled but to be considerate in all ways.
Almighty Father, I confess I am selfish most days of my life. I value myself and my own interest before seeking the highest good of the ones I love. I am sorry. But thank You for reminding me what it means to love people by being selfless. Thank You because You are showing me this kind of love every day. Though I am a sinner, You always bless me with grace and shower me with Your provisions. Please help me to showcase compassion to the people I live with. Lord, guide me to love them with all my heart, even if it requires my sacrifice. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Pray to love radically
“Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
To love radically means to love people with all that we are and all that we have. It is loving them despite the good and the bad. Because love is never a feeling, it is also not something you just feel like doing or something you are already good at overnight. Instead, love is an action word that portrays an unconditional commitment towards the people closest to you. The Bible commands us to love not just our family, friends, or workmates but, all the more, our enemies- people who have hurt us.
Lord Jesus, thank You that You love me so much. Thank You that You laid down Your life for me, and I am called to do the same. I am sorry I fail to recognize Your love in times of tribulations. I also know that Your love never changes. Please help me love others in the way You have loved me. Allow me to experience Your unconditional love over and over so that I may also lay my life to my loved ones as well. In Jesus’ name, amen.