08/19/2026
Today’s scripture and my thoughts on it that I am going to share:
John 13:34 (ESV)
A new commandment I give you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another other
This is one of those passages that seems so easy. As it’s so easy to say “I Love everybody” or to say “I Love You”. And it is easy to Love those who are always nice to us and whom we see nothing wrong with.
How much do we really Love those who have wronged us or who we might feel are undeserving of Love and kindness?
How much do we love each other when we are frustrated or having a bad day?
Even those we say we love unconditionally?
Oh now it gets tricky and the statements like “yes I Love everybody” can become unstable.
When the person in traffic cuts us off and we yell at them in our cars cussing them, is that love?
When we decide to walk by the homeless guy who we can see is in distress, simply because we are too busy, is that showing him love?
When our partner asks us to come ashy he dishes or make dinner and we grumble in under our breath or even just in our minds is that Love?
When we think about this passage we have to look at Christ and His behavior that clearly shows an amazing Love of sacrificing Himself, repeatedly for others even into death. That means our needs, wants, and desires are gone and instead we focus on others.
Instead of cussing the driver who cut us off, we pray they make it to their destination safely without hurting themselves or others.
Instead of passing by the homeless person, we stop and acknowledge them. You don’t have to give them money, pray with them.
And your partner this is the most challenging of all, yet when asked to do something or they need something you give of yourself and afterwards thank God for the blessing of having them in your lives. Then thank your partner for allowing you to assist them. Often times in a relationship it is difficult for one partner to ask the other for help and it changes day to day with which partner that is.
Now a command we felt we do all the time and was easy does become more challenging and we can see how much closer we need to grow in our walk with Christ. You’re not failing when we see how the truth of the statement that we all have sinned and are by nature sinners, applies to everyone. You are growing in your faith and can see areas to work on.
God bless