As He Loves

John 15:9-17

This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. (John 15:12)

YOU HAVE A HISTORY WITH GOD. It is most likely a spotted history; sometimes the relationship has been richly rewarding and other times obscure or frustrating. But on the whole, you know that God loves you, that he forgives you, and that he has extended his grace into every area of your life. As a Christian, you believe these things, at least in principle, even if you have not experienced them as fully as you would like. You rest in God’s love as the foundation of your belief.

Spend some time thinking about all the ways God has loved you—how he has been patient with you when you keep making the same mistakes; when you forget something he already taught you years ago; when his grace covers the things you couldn’t, wouldn’t, or didn’t think, do, or say; how he has restored what was lost, repaired what was broken, reconciled what was out of sorts, and redeemed your past. Think about how much you depend on him to heal and forgive, even when you know you don’t deserve it. Think about the mysteries of grace—always unmerited, but always enough.

Now, if that’s how God has loved you, then that’s how you are called to love others. Jesus said so in John 13:34 and reiterates it here, calling it a new commandment on both occasions. Love itself isn’t a new commandment, of course; Jesus and quite a few other teachers had already pointed out that “love your neighbor” was a pretty important concept of the ancient law (Leviticus 19:18; Mark 12:29-31). But loving others in the same way he has loved you? That’s different. It’s radical, sacrificial, thoroughly imbued with grace and compassion, exactly the sort of thing he was illustrating when he put on the garments of a servant and washed his disciples’ feet (John 13). Your mission in life is not merely to receive the love of God—as wonderful as that part of the gospel is—but also to demonstrate it. Love with the extravagance he has shown in loving you.

{Jesus, may others be able to count on my love the way I count on yours. Bathe me in your grace, and let me radiate it to those around me. Give me extraordinary, supernatural love. Amen.