Overflowing Love

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." 
John 13:34 (NIV)

Have you ever claimed to love someone while refusing to show it?

Imagine a husband who insists he loves his wife deeply, yet speaks harshly to her, refuses to help with household tasks, and avoids spending quality time with her. Won’t his wife, heartbroken, sit there saying, "If this is love, I don't want it."? The truth is that love without action isn't love at all, it's just a nice word.

Jesus gives us a new command in John 13:34: "Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." This isn't casual affection or warm feelings. This is love measured by Christ's own standard: unconditional, sacrificial, selfless, and unwavering.

This connection between loving God and loving people is so strong that 1 John 4:20 calls anyone who claims to love God without loving their brother, a "liar." You know God means business when He uses that word.

How has Christ loved you? He loved you when you didn't deserve it, served you when you couldn't repay Him, and died for you when you were still His enemy. This is the standard He sets for how you should love others.

Is such love humanly possible? Not without Jesus. But through His Spirit living in you, this supernatural love becomes not just possible but joyful. The more you experience Christ's love, the more it overflows naturally to others.

Who needs to experience Christ's love through you today? Your spouse? A difficult coworker? That neighbor who annoys you? Remember, your love for others becomes the overflow of Christ's love in you.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me unconditionally when I didn't deserve it. Help me obey Your command to love others the same way You have loved me. I know this is only possible through Your Spirit living in me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.