Seek to Love Others for Jesus

“But let those who run to You for safety be glad they did;
let them break out in joyful song.

May You keep them safe –
their love for You resounding in their hearts.

You, O Eternal, are the One who lays all good
things in the laps of the right-hearted.

Your blessings surround them like a shield.”

Jesus is our example, our guiding light in the dark. Jesus walked the earth, and felt the struggle, the heartache, and the pain of this world. Yet, He did not jump onto the pages of Scripture at His birth on earth. John wrote, 

Our God, the Trinity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit, has always been and will never change. “Through him all things were made;” John continued, “without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:3-5).

God so loved the world – full of rebellious, sinful people who continually stray and sin. Jesus is the light in the darkness. Our ability to love others is evident by the time we spend with Him. God promises when we seek Him with all of our hearts, we will find Him. We do this through the daily discipline of prayer and time in God’s Word, the Bible. The core of who we are changes and matures spiritually as we submit to the work of the Holy Spirit in this way. Jesus said, 

We can always forgive, and never love less, by the power of Christ in us. Love them for Jesus. Instead of offense, we can choose forgiveness. We, those God calls righteous, have the honor of bringing glory to God by choosing the path of forgiveness and love. James wrote, 

We can choose to remain in Jesus, instead of self-love, self-care, and the selfish descriptions the people the world beckons us to become. John, Jesus’ earthly best friend, recorded his Savior’s words: 

Always forgiven, never loved less. This is the love of God for us, and the love we are called to share with those He faithfully places in our lives.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/fizkes

Father, 

Abba, Yahweh! Jesus, Messiah! Holy Spirit, Counselor! One True, Triune, God! Glory to You for this day, this life, and Your purpose and will for us. One day at a time, teach us more and more how to forgive and love the people You have placed in our lives, Lord. May our hearts be open to the wisdom and love You pour into us through the people You place in our lives to disciple us, as well. 

Father, we are blown away by Your love for us. Thank you for loving the world enough to send Jesus, Your One and only Son, to sacrifice His life for us on the cross. When we picture the brutal scene of Jesus’ crucifixion, let our hearts break for the compassion Christ has for us. Help us to remain in You, Jesus, and for our lives to glorify You. Be with us in every instance of offense, and remind us to choose Love. 

In Jesus’ Name, 

Amen. 

Source
NIV Study Bible, Copyright © 1985, 1995, 2002, 2008, 2011 by Zondervan.

Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Lyndon Stratford

Meg writes about everyday life within the love of Christ at megbucher.com. She is the author of “Friends with Everyone, Friendship within the Love of Christ,” “Surface, Unlocking the Gift of Sensitivity,” “Glory Up, The Everyday Pursuit of Praise,” “Home, Finding Our Identity in Christ,” and "Sent, Faith in Motion." Meg earned a Marketing/PR degree from Ashland University but stepped out of the business world to stay home and raise her two daughters …which led her to pursue her writing passion. A contributing writer for Salem Web Network since 2016, Meg is now thrilled to be a part of the editorial team at Salem Web Network. Meg loves being involved in her community and local church, leads Bible study, and serves as a youth leader for teen girls.