Freely Speaking Audio Devotion

“If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” John 15:10-12 (NIV)

Do you sometimes find it hard to remain in God’s love towards everyone you meet? Jesus tells us in John that we should love each other as His Father has loved us. That high calling as a Christian can be very challenging at times. Thankfully, we have God’s continual example to show us how.

I consider myself a people person and strive to connect with and show kindness to everyone. As this world becomes harsher and seems to grow farther away from the Lord, it is harder to be that person. My unconditional gestures of love to those I encounter are not always received how I would want them to be, which can be discouraging.

This is where I must shift my focus to the love that God shows to me. I must humble myself and remember the never-ending patience He shows me when I don’t receive His love and kindness the way I should. When I am not receptive to Him, He never stops pursuing my heart. When I fail and let Him down, He never loves me any less. This kind of repetitive love creates love in me. My heart changes, and I can love others unreservedly the way God first loved me. It is a perfect design of reciprocal, unconditional love.

As we seek to follow this command of loving others as described in John 15:12, what can we do to stay encouraged and keep pursuing people's hearts even when it is hard? How can we love differently to reveal God’s love to them?