His Cross Our HopeSample

I couldn’t do it. I wanted to take care of everyone on the team, but when the pressure got to be too much, I started looking out for myself. I’m embarrassed to write that, but there’s a giant chasm between wanting to do something – even the noblest of things – and being capable of doing so.

Loving others is the same way. We can want to love them, but without the acceptance of Christ’s love for us, it’s impossible to love them as He does. By nature, we are self-centered creatures who often think too highly (or too little) of ourselves, which affects how we interact with others. Jesus loves selflessly.

In Scripture, we read about Peter’s desire to stay by Jesus, even if “he has to die,” but we also know that when the pressure became too much, Peter could not do what he desired most. While we can’t know for sure all Peter must have experienced at that moment, I think we can all relate in one way or another. I think we can all admit times when our sheer desire wasn’t enough.

You see, no amount of willpower can do what Holy Spirit power can do. We are constantly battling our flesh – our selfish nature – and without the help of Jesus, we won’t win. Without the love of God to make us new, we aren’t capable of loving as He does. We simply can’t do it on our own. That’s why we need His help; His love to transform us – to make us less self-focused and more others-focused, like Him.

Is it easy or challenging for you to love others as Jesus has loved you? What about that difficult person at work or in your circle of friends? Ask Jesus to help you love as He does and trust that He will.

~Kimi Miller

Blogger, speaker, and co-host of the Faith Over Fear podcast