“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” – John 15:12 (NKJV)
Have there been times when you forgave someone and let go of something costly, only to see later this person refuse to show even a fraction of that same mercy to someone else? Believe it or not, this is what some of us do today. God gave up His only begotten Son for our sins, and, as our anchor scripture states, He asks that we love our brothers the same way He has loved us.
We don’t grow in love by trying harder on our own. We love like Christ because the Holy Spirit lives in us (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). As we obey His leading and shape our lives around the Word, something in us begins to change. Our hearts learn to show the kind of love Jesus shows: love that gives, love that forgives, love that chooses mercy even when it’s costly. And this love isn’t just for “Church people.” It extends to everyone we meet.
One way we can show love is by giving. Not just financially, though that matters too, but by giving our time, attention, and energy. Giving is one of the clearest indicators of what we treasure. When we choose to open our hands rather than hold tightly, we mirror the generosity of Christ. The early believers understood this well. They shared what they had, lived closely together, and supported one another as a family in the community (Acts 2:44-45). If God has blessed you with something and you see a brother or sister in need, love compels you to respond (1 John 3:17-18).
Giving naturally leads us to another expression of love: forgiveness. When we live in community, we will inevitably encounter misunderstandings and hurt along the way. But love doesn’t keep score; it makes room for grace (1 Corinthians 13:5). God calls us not to hold grudges or allow resentment to linger (Leviticus 19:18). Instead, we are to release offence quickly, before it takes root. We forgive because we have been forgiven. We show mercy because we have received mercy (Ephesians 4:32).
These points become easier to achieve when we learn to love our brothers as ourselves (Romans 12:9-10). In Mark 12:30-31, Jesus tells us about the commandments that every believer must obey, and loving your neighbour as yourself is one of them. What you don’t like, you shouldn’t do to your brother. Put yourself in your neighbours’ shoes always, and treat them accordingly.
As believers, our love for one another is an outward expression of our love for God and His unfailing love towards us. A distinguishing mark of being a follower of Christ is a deep, sincere love for brothers and sisters in Christ (John 13:35).
Dear believer, today and for the rest of your life, may the way you treat your fellow believers mirror God’s love for humanity and draw more people to God.
Bible Reading Plan: Ezekiel 1–3; 1 Timothy 5