We know that Jesus wants us to love one another as ourselves, but how can we do that? Is it possible especially given the great divisions that exist between people today? It is not uncommon to hear of friction even between family members because of differing political and worldviews. What type of love did Jesus mean? Is it the same type of love that we feel for our spouse, our children, or our parents? Or is it more like the love we have for college basketball, pizza, or beach vacations? How can we love as Jesus wants us to? We can look to the Scriptures for guidance.
First we see that Jesus gives us a command, not a request. “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love another. This is how I will know that you are my disciples; if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
If we believe in Jesus, God remains in us, and we belong to him. His love is brought to perfection in us, however, we cannot love God if we do not love our brothers and sisters.
“Whoever acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God remains in him and he in God. We have come to know and to believe in the love God has for us. God is love, and whoever remains in love remains in God and God in him.” (1 John 4:15-16)
“We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates his brother, he is a liar; for whoever does not love a brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.” (1 John 4:19:20)
I believe we can all learn from what St. Paul wrote in Corinthians. Even if we keep our feelings to ourselves, and do not voice our opinions, the Lord knows how we feel as he knows what is in our heart.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury, it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13: 4-8)
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