“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34-35 NKJV.
Have you ever seen a man and woman interact and instantly know they were a couple, not because they said it, but because their actions made it obvious? Love isn’t just a feeling; it’s visible, expressed, and can be discerned. In the same way, as a believer, love is a fruit of your born-again spirit and it should be evident in your actions.
In our anchor Scripture, Jesus teaches that love should be a distinguishing mark of His followers. When the world looks at you and observes your love walk, it should be clear that it is different, one powered by the Holy Spirit. Jesus also instructs us not only to love those who love us but also to love our enemies (Matthew 5:44-45).
You might ask, how does one walk in this kind of love? It begins with understanding that God Himself is your standard for love (1 John 4:9-12). True love stems from being deeply rooted in God’s love (Ephesians 3:17). We grow in this love as we become intimate with Christ. The more we recognize and experience His love personally, the more we are empowered to extend the same to others.
Furthermore, we should continually ask ourselves to stay anchored: “How would Jesus show love to this person or in this situation?“ Loving like Jesus is essential to our purpose as believers. How can we truly show compassion to the sick, the broken, or the lost if we are not abounding in love? The good news is, as a believer, love is already a fruit of your reborn spirit. As you yield to the Holy Spirit and walk closely with Him, you will find yourself empowered to love.
Dear believer, love is a fruit of your reborn spirit. It grows as you nurture it through the Word of God and prayer. Let your life reflect God’s love for the world around you.
Bible Reading Plan: Nehemiah 4-6; Luke 18:18-43