We need to love like He loves. We're supposed to mirror Jesus in love.
"For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." Romans 8:29
Follow Him. Jesus loved Selflessly. We are called to love this way too. He loved when he was tired. He loved when he wanted to be alone. He loved always.
"When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." Matthew 9:36
"When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick." Matthew 14:14
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." John 13:34
"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13
Love in the same way Jesus did.
Sacrificial Love:
"If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good[a] is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." James 2:15-17
We are called to do. Everyone's busy. That doesn't mean we can't give. Everything we have is on load from God. We can't outgive God. Lay down our lives.
"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?" 1 John 3:16-17
Undiscriminating Love:
“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you and revile you and spurn your name as evil, on account of the Son of Man! 23 Rejoice in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for so their fathers did to the prophets." Luke 6:22-23
"But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil." Luke 6:35
Examples: Samaritans, Washing Judas's feet; God loves everybody. We cannot be selective in who we love. That isn't love.
"If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot[a] love God whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother." 1 John 4:20-212
Discerning Love:
"For the time is coming when people will not endure sound[a] teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions," 2 TImothy 4:3
Jesus never watered down the truth. To the rich young ruler he told him to sell all he had and follow Jesus. he knew possessions and wealth was this man's hold-out. TO the adulteress he told her to sin no more. We can't water down the truth.
"And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.”[a] And they cast lots to divide his garments." Luke 23:34
Part of Jesus's love was/is Forgiveness. Forgiveness is mandatory for us to give others. Jesus died to save us. Jesus said people would know we are disciples by our love.
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”" John 13:34
If we don't love each other we aren't his disciples. Love like Jesus loves. This is not an option.
CHALLENGE: Love like Jesus loves all the time.