A Short Devotional on Love

“I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34-35

Love.

Jesus commands us to love. But what does this look like?

How do you love your obnoxious neighbor who has drills going and hammers clamoring at all hours of the day and night?

How do you love the child who is talking back?

How do you love the spouse who is too tired to talk or spend time with you?

Let me first focus on what this verse in John 13 does not say.

It does not say that people will know you are My disciples by your knowledge of the Bible.

It does not say that people will know you are My disciples by continually flaunting how your study of the Bible impresses others.

It does not say that people will know you are My disciples because you are in two Bible studies or are leading one and talk about how much you know and want to impart to others.

Yes, it is critically important that we read, understand, and know God’s Word. Critical!

But knowing and doing are two different things.

In James 1:22 it says, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves.”

James 3:13 tells us, “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.”

We can’t just have knowledge, we must have and show love. “By this all people will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).

Knowledge is great but if we use that knowledge to demean or stomp on another are we showing love?

Now back to the opening question, how do we show love to those who might irritate us?

We show love and grace by treating them the way we would want to be treated.

“In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12).

Each day our feet hit the ground we have a choice. We can be kind and loving or we can be rude and have ill will toward others. We can use our time for good or we can use our time to show another how much we love them by showing respect with our words and our actions.

We have a choice, we can choose love.

Let’s remember 1 Corinthians 13:13 – “But now faith, hope, and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

When we love the way Christ commands our church doors will fling open with floods of people who want to be a part of God’s love and community. When we remove deceit, and slander, and gossip from our lips and instead choose to love we exemplify who God is. We must destroy the schemes of the devil and prevail in love.

2 Corinthians 10:5 – “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.” (ESV)

We are fully empowered to do and love in the manner God calls us to.

One final question:

Who do you need to love better?

Maybe it’s yourself first.

Maybe it’s your spouse.

Maybe it’s our Lord.

Maybe it’s a friend or family member.

“…The greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).

Choose love. 1 Corinthians 13:8a – “Love never fails.”

Thank you for visiting LuSays. For more from Lucille Williams check out her books: From Me to We, The Intimacy You Crave, The Impossible Kid.  And Turtle Finds His Talent for ages 2-6.

*(NASB unless indicated)