Verse of the Day: Called To Love; Longing To Be Loved–1 John 3:11
“This is the message you have heard from the beginning: we should love one another” –1 John 3:11.
People from every nation, tribe, and tongue have something innate in common: the longing to be loved. It is a God-infused yearning of the soul that we can not escape; the driving force behind most of our thoughts, feelings, and subsequent actions.
Jesus told us directly that what we give to others (love) will be given us in return “a good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over…for with the same measure [we] use, it will be measured back unto [us]” (Luke 6:38). It seems, however, that we’ve intentionally or unintentionally been ignoring these critical Words of Jesus. We’ve ignorantly downplayed the importance of the command to ‘love others as ourselves’ and, because of it, humanity has suffered. We have suffered.
Loving others is not always easy to do. In fact, at times, it may be counterintuitive to how we feel. But the Lord’s ways (and commands) are higher than our ways and our own limited understanding. God knows what is best for us and for the hearts and minds of all men. And thus, we are called to love. Period. Even when we don’t “feel” like it. We are called to extend love to everyone around us, even those we disagree with — even our enemies! (“For if you [only] love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them” –Lk 6:32).
If you have been feeling heavy laden, burdened, sadness or maybe even angry lately, lean in to your Heavenly Father’s command. With Jesus’ help, extend love, mercy and patience to those around you — they need it just as much as you do. And then, be prepared for God to reward you mightily for your obedient Spirit and loving heart. When we honor God by loving others, He will honor us with what we need most – more love.
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