When we’ve been misunderstood and abused, we become more understanding toward those unfortunates of our world who grieve under the heels of cruelty and darkness. We identify with their suffering and can surely “weep with those that weep.” Our hearts grow a tenderness and compassion which will help to improve our relationships and nourish our souls.

Sure, it hurts and causes feelings of indignation when we are hurt. Nevertheless, we are not to take vengeance. Yahweh commands us to live by a new command of life: the law of love, that accepts misunderstanding and abuse and answers to them with tenderness.

Love as Yahweh loves us. The only way to do that is through the Holy Spirit. We’re unable to do it on our own. It requires something that we are incapable of, alone.

By this, all will know we are His disciples; because we love one other.

Allow the Holy Spirit in. Allow Him to soften our hearts; loving those unfortunate ones we relate to because we’ve already been there.

I like the quote:

“Be kind! For everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.”

Even though you don’t know their battle, you can still relate in some way.

How are you traveling? Share your experience with others and your love for them in the comments.

Day 21 – We are Commanded to Love One Another

John 15:9-17 says: As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another.

The Greek word, translated to “abide”, literally means “to stay” or “to remain”.

The meaning here is crucial because it places the responsibility for “abiding” on us. That is to say, that if we are not walking with God, it is not God who has abandoned us, but it is us who has abandoned God. Jesus, here, is urging us to not flee from God.

The “love” Jesus is talking about requires a decision to “keep (His) commandments”. Jesus examines “love” by its actions.

On one level, this criteria for “love” should impact many of our human relationships. No doubt, we will say that we love our children, that we love our parents, and that we love our spouse–the question is: do our actions support that claim?

Many of us are eager to love and to be loved, but we often want to love on our terms. Keep in mind that if God’s love for us depended on us living up to His expectations no one in the world would be loved by God. The type of love that Jesus has for His disciples is unmerited love. If we are to love others as Jesus loves us, we must not make our love for others conditional on their behaviour. God loves us unconditionally; so we are to love unconditionally.

Prayer: Dear Yahweh, Father, my prayer is that we would love one another with Your kind of love, not the love we love with. Teach us, O’ Adonai, Yahweh! In Your precious name, Jesus, amen.

List of message series:

Day 1 – Love According to God	Day 11 – Love One Another	DAY 21 – WE ARE COMMANDED TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER
Day 2 – Fruit of the Spirit	Day 12 – Love Everyone	Day 22 – Burning Love – Love in Marriage
Day 3 – God’s Love	Day 13 – Love Each Other	Day 23 – Gentle Love
Day 4 – Agape Love	Day 14 – Happy Valentine’s Day	Day 24 – One Mind and Purpose
Day 5 – Who’s Your Master?	Day 15 – Free to Love	Day 25 – Love is a Verb
Day 6 – Life Eternal	Day 16 – Patience Love	Day 26 – Steadfast Love
Day 7 – His Great Love	Day 17 – Born of God	Day 27 – Love Forgives
Day 8 – More Than Conquerors	Day 18 – Born to Love	Day 28 – Love in Marriage
Day 9 – God, Who Gave Himself For Me	Day 19 – Love Your Neighbor & Your Enemy
Day 10 – Adopted	Day 20 – Love Your Neighbor as Yourself