Dave's Diary

Jesus made it clear in John 13:34 that there is a higher standard of love expected of us in relation to our fellow believers than to our neighbours in general. He said, “A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” 

But why should we love each other with Christlike, sacrificial love? That’s what we’re searching the Scriptures to answer this week.

Prayer before Reading:

Before you read today’s reading, join in this simple yet powerful prayer based on Psalm 34:8:

Lord, I long to taste and see that You are good. Bless me as I seek refuge in You!

Now spend a moment quietly getting focused on the Lord’s presence before you read.

Daily Reading

Read John 14:23-24 and Hebrews 13:1-2

These verses are packed with significance when it comes to us loving one another, but what I’d like to highlight this morning is that when we love one another, we are actually loving the Lord too.

Firstly, Jesus said: “‘Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching … ” (John 14:23). So, when we love one another we are also loving the Lord, through obedience to His command to love one another. We are expressing love for the Lord through obedience! We are expressing love for the Lord Himself whenever we love one another well.

Secondly, and even more significantly, Jesus promised those who receive Him as Lord, and love Him and one another, “We will come to them and make our home with them … “(John 14:23).

He reminds us today that the Living God lives in us (in the Person of the Holy Spirit) when we have received Christ by faith. So, when we love one another as fellow believers, we are loving those in whom God dwells. We are expressing love for the Lord whenever we love one another well.

To add depth to this thought, Hebrews 13:2 reminds us that in Scripture we read of those who received strangers with warm hospitality only to discover later that they were actually angels. But don’t miss the context of Hebrews 13:1, “Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.”

As followers of Christ we not only create the possibility of sometimes hosting angels when we love one another well. We also express love for the Lord who lives in one another every single time we love one another well.

Contemplation:

Please take time to ponder this truth. Turn one or more of these statements over and over in your mind:

• God Himself dwells within my fellow Christian.
• To act and speak in loving, life-giving ways to them is to love God Himself.
• Christ in me will empower me to love Him by loving my fellow Christian.

LORD, inspire and empower me to love You by loving my Family-in-Christ today! Amen.