You and I were entrusted with the message of God’s love. That’s a big responsibility, one that should not be taken lightly. Jesus didn’t stand on platforms and scream at sinners about their sins. He left most of his words of judgment for the religious leaders of the day. Instead, Jesus went to sinners. He loved individuals where they were, whether they had created their own mess or inherited it. Those individuals responded to his outpouring of love. They had no defense when confronted by the ministry of reconciliation.
Tear Down Walls
...but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts.
reconcilers for god
We have a divine connection in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. His love is unconditional and transcends every dividing wall imaginable. He broke down the barriers and reconciled us to God. What was asked of the disciples on that mountaintop is also being asked of us, to simply tell others that the work has already been done. God’s grace is sufficient. You and I have been charged to be reconcilers for God, spreading his love to all we meet. To do this we must first see others as God does, as his sons and daughters and not his enemies.
love like jesus did
Jesus didn’t come to promote a political party or a religious sect or to condemn people. He came to heal, to restore, and to pour out grace and love. This is what the women saw. He explored the margins and went to the outcast and the forgotten. He hung out with women, with lepers, with tax collectors, and with those who were despised. Jesus traveled to the small towns and the rural places, and he ministered to those who were in desperate need. We live out his love best when we knock down dividing walls and live lives that reflect his overflowing grace.
Loving isn’t easy. Sometimes it is the hardest thing that is asked of us. The good news is that we weren’t left to figure this out on our own. Instead, we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to continue the mission Jesus left for us. Go and share the good news of Christ’s forgiveness, his healing, and the community of faith he made available to all.
Begin today to offer every area of your life in obedience to live as Jesus lived. Tell others about the good news. Go to the places that are uncomfortable and start loving the people who live in the margins of your life. In doing so you might just find that God’s love flows both ways.
Watch Session Six
Jesus Empowers
Daily Question
Do you find it difficult to love as Jesus did? Imagine yourself walking through the world and seeing Jesus in every man, woman, and child you encounter. This includes the one you see in the mirror. Would that change your ability to love as Jesus did?
Comments (11)
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I do find it hard to love certain people. Mostly people who don’t keep their word. I am an Enneagram 6 so I value loyalty and safety and that includes being able to count on what other people tell me they will do. When they don’t, I just can’t let it go.
We have all fallen short of the standards we set for others and most importantly the standards God has set for us. We we hope to be shown grace and forgiveness by our Father on that day, we must find it in our hearts to show the same grace and forgiveness to others, even though they may not be deserving, just as we are not. Ask God to give you an overflowing of love that will allow you to see past others shortcomings in the area you struggle to forgive them and He will generously give it to you! ?
Wow that’s a good way to put it. Yes definitely it would change the way I look at them. But I remember too Jesus saying " get behind me satan!" Also HIM wiping them out of the temple. So I also need to be bold enough to speak a reprimand if I see them in sin so as to save them from Hell.
“My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.”
James 5:19-20 NIV
““If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
Matthew 18:15-17 NIV
Very harsh words. GOD disciplines those HE loves like we must our children and our friends who are going against GOD. So as to save them from death and cover a multitude of sin!
Yes! It is hard to love as Jesus loved. Thank God we have the Holy Spirit to help us. Amen. If I could see others through Jesus’ eyes wow?! That will allow me to love and give freely like he did. This is what God calls us to do. Amen. Dear God please help me to see others like you do. Amen.
It would. I need to learn to love myself as Jesus does, and pass that on to everyone around me. He saved me, changed me to new, and loves me unconditionally. I try to do the same but I need to live it, not try it.
Yes, it is hard to love others who treated us badly and unrespectful. We always think who deserved for our love. But not Jesus…he saw us differently. No one is underserved for his love. He would gave us choices. If we put in Jesus’s perspectives in viewing others, we would be color blinded, free of prejudices toward others. It is important for us to love other as Jesus loves us. So we could make a better place for everyone to live in. Think other is better than yourself. Be humble is a key!!
Yes, I do find it hard at times to love unconditionally and unselfishly as Jesus did. If I saw Jesus in every person and myself, I’d have more regard for how I talk to and treat those around me!
At times, I do find it difficult to love as Jesus did especially when you’ve been disappointed , hurt/abused in anyway by people. We must learn how to forgive and let go or help make a positive impact in their lives by loving them where they are and helping them elevate their minds spiritually.
Say, "This is someone Jesus loves" as you look at each person.
Yes indeed I have… & of course if I saw Jesus in every man or woman would it change my ability to love. Crazy to think that the love of Jesus can do that! It’s beautiful! I find it hard to love people who have hurt me, or people I care about, people who judge, I could go on & on. The result though of that is I need to take action and LOVE LIKE JESUS! No matter how difficult or cruel, I should forgive and love like Him🤍
At times it very hard to love how Jesus Christ loved when church sometimes can be so self righteous or examples the very opposite. Also, being patient with people how Jesus Christ can be challenging the older you get where expectations changes and more.