“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35, NKJV)

To love others was not a new commandment, but to love others as much as Jesus loved others was a revolutionary idea. We are to love others based on Jesus’ sacrificial love for us. Such love will not only bring unbelievers to Jesus, it will also keep believers strong and united in a world hostile to God. Jesus was a living example of God’s love, as we are to be living example of Jesus’ love.

Lord, show me how to love others as you have loved them–even when it seems that they are unlovable, even when they cut me off on the road or say bad things about me. Search my heart for anything that is unpleasing to you such as bitterness, envy, strife and hatred, and remove those things far from me. I want only to do Your will, and that’s to love others unconditionally. Open my heart and how me how to do that every day.