John says, “God is love, and His love is free, unconditional, unforgiving, sacrificial, kind, secure, truthful, extravagant, and all-inclusive.” Imagine what would happen in this world or in your family or in your marriage if we were to love one another like God loves us. But you say that’s too hard; that’s impossible. That kind of love is out of reach. For sure, we won’t always love perfectly like that, but don’t ever forget that God never asks you and me to do something without supplying the power to do it. But remember, you can’t love like God unless you have been filled with the love of God. You cannot give away what you do not have. Loving is hard work. It is the pouring out of yourself for the good of another. But if all you are doing is pouring out love, you will get worn down and can’t keep it up. You will hit the wall. You will start feeling guilty, and you will say you can’t love like Jesus; it is impossible, but it is not. To love like Jesus, your output just has to match your input. To love like Jesus, you have to keep getting replenished with the love of God. To love as Jesus commands, we must immerse ourselves in His word, in His worship, and in His presence. As we breathe in more of Jesus’ love into our life, we will be able to love one another as God loves us.
– Dr. Tim Thompson