Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” Jesus was talking to the church, telling believers how they are to treat each other. Did Jesus understand how unpleasant some of us can be, and how difficult it can be to actually love one another? Here are some thoughts of how it is possible.
First, we know that God and Jesus love one another. God the Father loves God the Son, and God the Son loves God the Father. They share a perfect love that has existed since before the universe began.
Second, we know that we are invited to participate in the love that God and Jesus share. Jesus put it this way: “I no longer call you servants, but I call you friends.” We are included in everything about the relationship between God and Jesus.
Third, the love of Jesus for us is transforming. Jesus’ love for us changes us in a way that nothing else could.
Thus, we are capable of loving one another. Difficult as it may be, we are equipped to love fellow believers. It is not by carefully choosing which believers we will approach and which believers we will avoid. It is not by gritting our teeth and exercising will power. It is the knowledge that we participate in the love that God and Jesus share. It is by remembering that we love because Jesus first loved us.
In our sermon this Sunday, we will talk about how Christians can love one another.