It is easy to love your family and friends, because they have been good to you and have been there for you.But what about the stranger on your street? Can you love that person regardless?
John 13:34-35
Imagine you hear about a man who claims to be an English professor and says he has every qualification needed to hold the title. On hearing this, there are certain things you would expect from him, especially in the way he speaks and writes. For someone with that level of education in English, it should be obvious even in the way he carries himself. In the same way, if you are in the Christ, there must be evidence that you no longer belong to the world. Just as light and darkness are distinct from each other, the difference must be evident in you as well.
Galatians 5:22-23
New King James Version
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
So a way to recognise someone who walks in the Spirit is that love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, gentleness and self-control are evident in their life. People should be able to identify you as a Christian without being told. In today's devotional, the fruit of the Spirit that is emphasised is love.
1 John 4:8
New King James Version
8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
The Scripture is clear, you cannot claim to know God if you do not love. This is because the very foundation of the Christian faith is love.
Also, It is easy to say that you love God, your family, your friends, or those who have been good to you, but see the kind of love scripture describes:
Romans 5:8
New King James Version
8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
God proved His love for you by giving His very best while you were undeserving and unworthy. He did not wait until you realised you needed salvation before making it available; He gave Himself unconditionally. This is love.
It is easy to love your family and friends, because they have been good to you and have been there for you. In other words, there is a reason to love them. But what about the stranger on your street? What about the person who has nothing to give you in return? Can you love that person regardless?
In scripture, Jesus showed compassion and love throughout His life especially in the way He related with people. For example, the Samaritan woman.
First, it is important to know that at that time the Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans, who were considered unclean. Yet Jesus not only spoke to her, He even asked her for water. When He spoke about the fact that she had had five husbands and that the man she was living with was not her husband, there was no disdain. Instead, He further spoke to her about how she could receive eternal life, not seeing her as unfit to be saved (John 4:1-26).
Another person is Zacchaeus. He was a tax collector who cheated people and took their money, and the Jews considered tax collectors among the worst of sinners. Yet Jesus did not turn him away in anger but openly said that He would dine at his house (Luke 19:1-10).
John 13:34-35
New King James Version
34A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.
35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.
It is evident that you are a follower of Christ by your love for others.
Hence as you go about your daily living, carry these words with you. Let people discern from your love walk that you are a follower of Christ, not segregating, and not giving love only to those who deserve it, but following the path of your greatest example, Jesus, who gave love to those who had nothing to give in return.
Prayer
Father, help me that even in the way I relate with others it is evident that I am of you. Teach me how to love others unconditionally without disdain or judgement.
