Love More Like Christ
We have all heard the phrase, “People climb mountains, because they are there.” I suppose in some sense that is a true statement. Something within them finds it alluring to conquer the mountain peaks and gaze upon all that God has created.
Much in the same way, we as Christians love, because we have a need and a desire to love. Our Spirits long to fulfill the greatest commandment which is to love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength; as well as loving our neighbor as ourselves. The love that we desire to show is not human love—it is not within us to give away. The love that is imparted to us, perfect agape love, comes from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
We cannot hope to love the way God has loved us, if we don’t have the love of God inside of us. In other words, the only way to allow God’s love to flow through us into a hurting and love deprived world, is to have the source of all love living inside our hearts and minds.
What does it mean to have the love of God in our hearts and minds? To have the love of God means that you will yield certain “spiritual fruits” which are found in Galatians 5:22, “Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and self-control.” To receive perfect love into your heart, you must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and as a result of that belief, you will be saved (Acts 16:31). Being able to love others more like Christ is not impossible; it may be challenging, but not impossible. To love others, as Christ loved those He came into contact with (including His disciples), is our greatest aim. Jesus said it Himself, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).
By Stephen R. Murphy, NBC student, Worship and Grief Recovery Pastor
Published: 03/18/2019
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