Love really is the key to everything. If we could just learn how to love like Jesus did, we would be just like God.

³⁴ “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. ³⁵ By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

If you are wondering about my statement that we would be just like God, it’s a simple matter of 2+2=4. John told what God is like in 1 John 4,

⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

¹⁶ And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.

If God is love, and Jesus is God, then to love like Jesus is to love like God. And, it’s the very thing that Jesus told us to do. Love is what is attractive about the Gospel.

Even God’s justice is based on love. He loves us so much that He is willing to allow us to go our own way rather than force us to love Him (it’s called free will). If someone chooses to have nothing to do with Him, God will honor his decision–never mind that the person is breathing God’s air, walking on His ground, and living in a body He created! And, God will allow him to walk into eternity and continue to have nothing to do with Him–although, the consequences of that choice will be far worse than we can imagine.

We are going to camp on this concept of godly love for a while. For today, let’s ask God to show us His love. It may come from His Word, from Him in prayer, through a friend, and even through an adversary. Let’s look for Him to reveal His love to us. In the meantime, let’s show love to others in every way we can think of.

Abba, showing Your love often means that I have to disregard how I feel about someone or a situation. So be it. You never said that love is a feeling, but an action, which You proved every day Jesus walked this earth–and beyond! If I am really interested in being Your ambassador on this earth, I need to learn how to love. Teach me, O Lord. Amen.