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We are to believe in the name of Jesus Christ. That means we not only believe that He exists, but also that Christ — God in flesh — came to earth, laid down His life for me, to die on the cross that I may have eternal life with Him in Heaven.
But the second part of the command (v. 23) is to love one another. Like myself, believers have placed their faith in Jesus Christ but struggle to live out loving one another. We find ourselves confined by the routines of life when we see few opportunities, or we lack desire to love one another. We feel safe in loving those close to us, but feel inadequate, unsure, ill-equipped or uncomfortable in showing love to a lost and hurting world. But God wants us to boldly ask and receive what it takes for us to love others.
So where are you? Most of us have room to grow in this area of loving others. So I’d like to share some thoughts that hopefully are helpful.
If you find yourself with a heart that has no desire to love others, check your relationship with Christ. When we connect with God, we are empowered to connect with others. Have you asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior? Pray asking God to help you to believe and place your faith in the Son, Jesus Christ. In that act of salvation, God gives us the Holy Spirit who lives in us and enables us to love others.
But, if God’s Spirit has given you a heart to love others, but something is holding you back, try this: Think back to a time in your life of illness, loss, hurt or disappointment. Whom did God use to minister, encourage, or help you? These people are blessings from God. Can I, through Christ’s Spirit, be a loving blessing to others?
If our hearts are in line with these commands, God’s Word says we will receive from God anything we ask (v. 22). So when we pray, let’s
- Thank God for first loving us.
- Thank God for placing the Holy Spirit within us, through whom we can truly love others.
- Thank God for those God has used to love us and be an example to us.
- Ask God to bless others through us.
- Help us to know that God has equipped us with all we need to love others.
- Ask God to help us see opportunities to love.
As God molds and shapes us into the likeness of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, we will see and respond to opportunities to show Jesus’ love to those God places in our path.
Prayer: God, you know our hearts. You know the gifts and abilities You have given each of us. Help us to rely on Your Spirit to pull all these things together to be used for Your purposes and glory. Help us to see outside our circle to a hurting and lost world. Amen.
Gary Gieck
Layman
First Baptist Church
Jackson, WY
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