Jesus commands us to love one another in the same way He loves us. The way God loves us is unconditionally, sacrificially, extravagantly, selflessly, truthfully, with forgiveness, mercy, and grace. Jesus reminds us that how we love is proof that our hearts belong to Jesus Christ. Love is our primary witness to the world that draws people to Jesus. I don’t know about you, but I find some people very difficult to love. The good news is that the love that God has for us is not just a feeling, it is an action. God doesn’t command us to like everybody, to agree with everybody, but He does command us to act in love toward every single person. It is by our love that people will know we are Christians. I love the story of the two Christian businessmen in Yazoo, MS having lunch at a local restaurant. A waitress tripped and spilled an entire class of coke in one of the businessmen’s lap. Everybody gasped and stared. They fully expected the man to blow up and chew the waitress out. The man stood up with coke dripping all over him, looked at the waitress, and said, “Young lady, I am so sorry this happened to you. I know it embarrasses you.” He acted in love, didn’t he? Remember, they will know we are Christians by our love. Remember, God doesn’t command us to feel love toward everyone, but He does command us to act in love.
– Dr. Tim Thompson