All because of love. That’s the reason Jesus suffered the worst death possible. The death of the cross. His motive? Love for us. It’s difficult to grasp the amount of love Jesus has for each individual person in the world. Remember, God sent His only Son, Jesus, to die for our sins and make us right with Him again. “When he (Jesus) sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of what he has experienced, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.” (Isaiah 53:11)
What does it take to be a loving person?
How do we become a loving wife or husband, a loving brother or sister, a loving daughter or son, a loving mother or father, or a loving neighbor? We choose to do it. We are intentional about it, and we ask Jesus to show us how. He gave us tons of examples on how to be a loving person during His ministry days. God also tells us what to do in His Word. To love others is a command.
Below are several Scriptures where we are told to love others and how to do it.
Romans 12:9 tells us, “Don’t just pretend that you love others. Really love them…Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.”
Romans 13:8 encourages us to “Pay all your debts, except the debt of love for others. You can never finish paying that! If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill all the requirements of God’s law…Love does no wrong to anyone, so love satisfies all of God’s requirements.”
Ephesians 6:2-3 reminds us to “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first of the Ten Commandments that ends with a promise. And this is the promise: If you honor your father and mother, “you will live a long life, full of blessing.”
Ephesians 5:2 inspires us to “Live a life filled with love for others, following the example of Christ, who loved you and gave himself as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased because that sacrifice was like sweet perfume to him.”
Ephesians 5:22-23 motivates women, “You wives will submit to your husbands as you do to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of his body, the church; he gave his life to be her Savior.”
I know this is a controversial verse for women. But notice why and when we are to submit. The husband’s responsibility and expectation is way bigger and harder:
Ephesians 5:25-26 commands men, “And you husbands must love your wives with the same love Christ showed the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by baptism and God’s word.”
As you can see, we have plenty of encouragement to become a loving person in whatever circumstance you may find yourself throughout your life. I hope you are inspired to become a loving person and love others as Christ loves you.
During this Easter, meditate on what Jesus did for you personally and thank Him for that eternal gift of salvation. Happy Easter!