Preparing to Celebrate Christ at EasterSample

Live to Love

The Bible makes it pretty clear that loving other people is one of the most important things we can do. In John 13:34, Jesus Himself says, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another” (NIV).

The love message is the power of the Gospel and it’s so simple: Love God and love your neighbor as you love yourself. Jesus is the greatest example of loving others. All throughout the gospels, we see Him feeding the hungry, healing the sick, spending time with children, and even washing the disciples' feet. Helping people—being a blessing and adding value to other people’s lives—is what it means to walk in love and follow the example of Jesus.

Jesus said we should love God with all our heart, but He also added the second greatest commandment: Love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:31). There’s something important in these commands that we often miss: Before you can love others, you have to experience God’s love in your own life, because you can’t give away something you don’t have.

God’s love is a gift to us, and when we receive it, then we can release it to others through our words and actions. This is important because if we don’t, it will stagnate like a pool of water with no outlet. We have to be willing to ask God to teach us to love the way He loves. That means you love when there’s nothing in it for you; it’s all about giving out and not expecting anything in return. Then we will keep God’s love flowing through us as we serve, help, and bless others.

The act of loving and helping others is one of the most exhilarating things you can experience. So, make it a priority to regularly love the people around you, encouraging them and meeting their needs as you are able to do it. Be determined each day to do at least one thing for someone else that makes their life better. You’ll discover that serving God by loving and helping others is the most wonderful, exciting thing you can do!

VIDEO:

Loving Others

Learn how treating others right fulfills God’s purpose for your life.

KEY SCRIPTURE:

And walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:2 NIV).

QUOTE FROM JOYCE:

“Once you begin receiving God’s awesome unconditional love, you can begin not only loving Him in return, but you can also begin loving others.” —Joyce

TAKE ACTION:

Think of three people you know who could use a gesture of God’s love. Then think of creative ways you can express His love to these people—and do it!

Prayer:

I am grateful, Father, that You loved me so much that You sent Your Son, Jesus, to die for my sins. Help me to be aware of the needs around me that I can meet. And help me remember to love others with my words and actions. In Jesus’s Name, amen.