Displaying the Love of Christ to All

'Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.'

1 John 4:7-8

---

It's vital that we show love to those around us. Not just to those we are friends with or to our family, but also to those who have different interests, jokes, or even belief systems than our own. The reason that we should show love to all people spans from the fact that God loves them, just as He loves us. It would be wrong for us to withhold showing God's love to those whom He also sent Jesus to die for ( John 3:16, 1 John 4:9-10 ). In 1 John 4:8, John states that those who don't show love don't know God. So, we can see how showing love goes hand in hand with showing people that we actually know Jesus. If we say that we know Jesus yet are constantly talking bad about people, harboring negative thoughts towards others, or plainly cutting people off from our lives, then we clearly aren't doing what we are supposed to be doing as Jesus's disciples. When we come across someone that is unlike what we are used to, we should use that opportunity to show the love of Christ to them. Showing this type of love will help to minimize any divisions that the enemy might try and brew within the relationships around us.

Q: In what situations is it easy for you to withhold love from others? How can you better grow to show God's love to other people?

---

God, thank You for Your love, and thank You for expecting us to love others just as You've loved us. Help us to show Your love, God, so that more people can see You in us. Help us to glorify You in the way that we live by walking in love for You and for others, please. Thank You for all that You do for us each day.

In the Name of Jesus Christ, I pray, amen.