I love people.
Truly, I do. But, I don’t always love people like I should. I get selfish, irritated, and annoyed. I let differences get in the way of my love, and sadly, my love isn’t always unconditional. There are times the thoughts I have of others aren’t lovely, and some of those thoughts have been pretty judgmental.
I can love better.
This week in our Bible study we’re studying John chapter 13. Read with me the words Jesus spoke to his disciples at what’s commonly referred to as the Last Supper:
“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.” John 13:34-35 MSG
After reading His words I couldn’t help but ask myself, “Do people recognize that I’m a disciple of Jesus by my love?” Hmmm…
Again, I can love better.
I desire to love better.
Friend, maybe you love others well. It’s certainly possible I’m the only one who struggles to love at all times. I hope I am. I truly hope I am. But, if you find yourself not loving well at times, and you want to love better too, we aren’t left without hope.
We may not be able to love better on our own (I’ve proven I can’t), but I’ve learned with the help of the One Who loves best and most, we can love in ways we’ve never dreamed we could. The only way I can do this is by abiding in Jesus.
I am the vine, and you are the branches. If you abide in Me and I in you, you will bear great fruit. Without Me, you will accomplish nothing. John 15:5 Voice
abide :: to remain; to continue; to stay
My beautiful friend, Marcia, has chosen this word as her #oneword for 2017. Every time I run across it, I think of her. It’s a good one, isn’t it?
Abide motivates me to cling to Jesus. To go where He goes. To stay where He stays. It encourages me to remain in Him.
Abiding in Jesus is the only way I can love better.
Did you notice the end of verse 5 above? Apart of Jesus, we will accomplish nothing. Zero. Zilch. Nada. I haven’t done a great job of abiding in Him recently. I guess that’s why I haven’t loved so well recently either.
Abiding in Jesus may look different for each of us, but when we do, will we bear much fruit, including loving better.
I’m ready. Are you? Let’s encourage each other. Let’s love each other. And let us help each other love better by reminding us to abide.
Friend, how do you abide in Jesus? Do you have a certain routine? Is there something specific you do? I’d love to know more about how you abide. Your words may be the ones someone else needs to read today.
Abiding together in Him,
Julie
Linking this post with friends Jennifer and Holley.
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Thanks so much for this truth reminder, Julie! I think the craziness of the times we are living in is deeply refreshed when we refocus on Him rather than on the chaos swirling around us. This is a great example of drawing us back. Such a post reminds me of Hebrews 12:1-2, a favorite passage of mine. Blessings on your day!
I want to love better and I try, but you are right, I can’t do it without abiding in Jesus. Great insight!
I have been thinking about loving people a lot lately and you are so right — I can love better. I can always love better. What a blessing and a comfort it is that it is by abiding in Jesus, by having our hearts changed to be more like His, that we can truly love each other better. Thank you for sharing this! God bless
We can’t do it apart from Him, can we? Even with the easiest ones to love, we’d struggle, not because of them, but because of us. — Abiding, for me, looks a lot like prayer. And scripture. I guess that sounds cliche’, huh? — Good reminders, Julie. Saw your comment on Ruth’s site and clicked over. Thanks for sharing. ((grace))