"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. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." --John 13:34-35
We all know about the 10 Commandments, right? They're "simple" things like: honor the Sabbath, don't lie, don't steal, do not commit adultery, do not murder, serve only one God... But when Jesus came, He gave us this new commandment. It wasn't meant to take the place of the original 10, but just an addition to them -- LOVE PEOPLE.
The "easy" part is though, if we are truly loving people the way we've been commanded to, then all those other 10 commandments are much easier to obey. I mean, if we're truly loving people like Jesus did, then we would never want to break those first 10 Commandments. If I'm loving the people around me, I don't want to lie to them, or steal from them. If I'm loving people like Jesus does, then all those other commandments seem to fall into place much easier.
"Love God. Love People." is a motto I try to live by. It's certainly not easy. Let's not try to pretend that it is. But it does help keep things in perspective sometimes. But which people are we supposed to love? The Bible tells us to love our neighbors. But who are our neighbors? Everyone. It's the homeless man on the street, the single mother who needs a little help, the elderly man who's lonely, the teenager who just needs a friend, the popular girl who seems like she has a million friends (when maybe she really doesn't...), or the college student who's searching for something more than just a party. Everyone deserves to be loved. Everyone needs love.
And LOVE is how we as Christians are going to stand apart from everyone else. Because let's face it - loving everyone (the people that are hard to love or seemingly unlovable) is WEIRD. But that's what we've been called to do - love the ones that need it most, because Jesus did the same.
(Hey Bloggy friends! This is now a link-up. My first! So please join in with me and submit your link! Please also put the Thoughtful Thursdays button either on your post or your page, so we can spread the word! Yay!)
(Hey Bloggy friends! This is now a link-up. My first! So please join in with me and submit your link! Please also put the Thoughtful Thursdays button either on your post or your page, so we can spread the word! Yay!)
1 comment:
I love that verse. Loving others is our greatest witness! I'm glad you made this a link up. I'm participating in a book club right now on Thursdays, but I think it will work out great to go along with your Thoughtful Thursdays.
I tried to add your button, but couldn't get it to work :( It could just be me....I often have problems with those.
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