Following Jesus Means Loving Everyone

In 1 Corinthians 13:7 I read, “Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up."(GW)

As a follower of Christ, I must love everybody in the same way that Christ loves me. That means I am to accept them completely, love them unconditionally, forgive them totally, and consider them extremely valuable, whether I like them or not.

It’s not an option or a suggestion. It’s a command: “Now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other” (John 13:34 NLT).

Loving others in this way will transform my relationships!

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13:7, “Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up” (GW).

This is how God loves me. He never stops being patient with me. He never stops believing in me. He never stops hoping for the best in my life. He never gives up on me. And God wants me to love others the same way.

Love never stops being patient. Love extends grace. I can offer grace to others.

Love never stops believing. Love expresses faith. Love allows me to say, “Even though we’re having a tough time, I will never stop believing in you.”

Love never stops hoping. Love expects the best. Am I expecting the best in my primary relationships, or have I settled for less than best?

Love never gives up. Love endures the worst. With love, I can say, “You can throw everything at me, but I’m going to keep loving you, no matter what.”

To start transforming my relationships today, I pray: “Dear God, I admit that I have made a mess in my relationships. They’re complicated and broken, and I’ve often settled for less than best. They need a transformation. I want you to begin by changing me. Deliver me from my fears, because I can see how they make me distant, defensive, and even demanding. Today, and every day from now on, I want to surrender my heart to you. I want to learn to live my life dwelling in and filled with your love.

“Help me to accept others, just as you’ve accepted me. Help me to love others unconditionally, just as you have loved me. Help me to forgive others totally, just as you’ve forgiven me. And help me to value others as much as you value me. Help me to extend grace to and express faith in the people around me. Help me to expect the best in others, and when the worst happens, help me to endure it with grace. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

In summary, Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, and never gives up. As a follower of Christ, I must love everybody in the same way that Christ loves me. That means I am to accept them completely, love them unconditionally, forgive them totally, and consider them extremely valuable, whether I like them or not. It’s not an option or a suggestion. It’s a command. Loving others in this way will transform my relationships! This is how God loves me. He never stops being patient, never stops believing in me. He never stops hoping for the best in my life. He never gives up on me. And God wants me to love others the same way. Love never stops being patient. Love extends grace. I can offer grace. Love never stops believing. Love expresses faith. Love allows me to say, “Even though we’re having a tough time, I will never stop believing in you.” Love never stops hoping. Love expects the best. Love never gives up. Love endures the worst. To start transforming my relationships, pray: “Dear God, I admit that I have made a mess. They’re complicated and broken. They need a transformation. Begin by changing me. Deliver me from my fears. I want to surrender my heart to you. I want to learn to live my life dwelling in and filled with your love. Help me to accept others, just as you’ve accepted me. Help me to love others unconditionally, just as you have loved me. Help me to forgive others totally, just as you’ve forgiven me. And help me to value others as much as you value me. Help me to extend grace to and express faith in the people around me. Help me to expect the best in others, and when the worst happens, help me to endure it with grace.”

Society confuses love and lust. Unlike lust, God's kind of love is directed toward others, not inward toward ourselves. It is utterly unselfish. This kind of love goes against my natural inclination. It is impossible to have this love unless God helps me set aside my own desires so that I can love and not expect anything in return. The more I become like Christ, the more love I will show others.