Our scripture this morning is John 15:11-12 (NLT).
I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you.
When someone asks “what is love?” the right answer is always “God is love” (1 John 4:16). However, there are many ways to express our love and many other terms to help define it. Care, compassion, forgiveness, all of these actions are ways to show our love for one another.
Paul wrote much about how we love one another in 1 Corinthians 13. He tells us “love is patient, love is kind”, and a whole list of other characteristics of love. He indicates that love is the fuel that powers all other spiritual gifts, and that without love, we are nothing.
It can be as simple as encouraging someone or as amazing as “to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Jesus taught and demonstrated all these aspects of love, from teaching and healing to giving Himself up for us. He calls us to love each other in the same way He first loved us – selflessly and fully.
Gracious God, in Your mercy You sent Jesus to show us the way to love You and each other. Bless us to carry that love to all Your children everywhere. Amen.
