Jesus With Us: Live Like Jesus, Love Like JesusSample

The Law of Love

In Matthew 7:12 (NLT), notice that Jesus does not say, “Do to others whatever they did to you.” He also does not say, “Do this to others so they will do something for you.” He says, “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.” In other words, act with love and kindness, having the other person’s best interests at heart.

Jesus takes this principle to another level entirely when He adds, “This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets.” With this, He is saying that the essence of everything that has been taught in the Scriptures for all time—what it all comes down to—is loving people. It’s being kind and treating them well, wanting the best for them. That is to be at the core of everything we do. The old laws were about rules; the new laws are about relationships and how we love one another.

Human beings are selfish. We are prone to think more about ourselves than others. We want to do what we like and make ourselves happy, sometimes at others’ expense. Walking with Jesus, however, gives us a new nature. We become like Him.

Jesus loves us fully, generously, relentlessly, endlessly. His Love doesn’t discriminate, and no matter what we do, He won’t stop loving us. He puts us first. When we commit to love Jesus and love like Jesus, we gain the power to live our lives as we are called to live them.

When is it hardest to treat other people the way you want to be treated?

What can you do today to take a positive step toward treating others the way you want to be treated?

Dear Jesus, thank You for teaching us how to love people with our actions. Thank You for Your Wise Words and the incredible example of Your Love. I pray that when people see me, they will see You. Help me to keep seeking You. In Your Name, Amen.