Good “Christians” should accept any treatment, forgive, forget, and never have an opposing belief to keep the peace is the world’s understanding of what being a Christian is all about. However, what does it mean to love like Jesus?
The love of Jesus is full of respect, honor, healthy boundaries, forgiveness but not always reconciliation. His love has moral standards, the courage to stand for justice, to help the oppressed and abuse, and to share Christ’s loving Gospel with the souls that are still living in the darkness of sin and the world’s self-focused hearts.
To understand the love of Jesus Christ, you have to study his heart, character, words, actions, and obedience to God in the Bible. I don’t mean just read the red letters. I mean study what he says, to whom, and why. Look up specific verses or words in the Hebrew and Greek reference books the help you see the full, rich meaning of the words Jesus spoke along with the apostles. To love like Jesus, let’s look at these three essential steps!
3 Essential Steps to Love Like Jesus
- You Must Receive Salvation Through Christ
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again[b] he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3 ESV)
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.” John 3:16-17 ESV)
There is only one way to receive Christ’s salvation, and that is by believing in your heart that Jesus is the Son of God, that you are truly sorry for your sins, and that Jesus died for your sins, and one day you will be with him in heaven forever.
- You Must Learn and Live as Christ’s Disciple
The moment you ask Jesus to come into your heart, he dwells in you through the Holy Spirit. You are in him, and he is in you 24/7. Salvation is his free gift for all who believe. However, faith requires participation. You are responsible for learning how to live as his disciple to honor his sacrifice for you, which affects your eternity.
You are so blessed because you can read God and Jesus’s words by studying the Bible, God’s word. As you read God’s word, it will come to life, and your mind, heart, and spirit will be transformed. The following scriptures show us what it means to live and love like Jesus.
- “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, IF you have love for one another.”(John 13:35, NIV)
- “IF you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32, NIV)
- “IF anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the Gospel’s will save it.” (Mark 14:34 – 35, NIV)
- Jesus declared, ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ Thisis the first and greatest And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” Matt. 22:37-39, NIV)
- “Whoever does not bear his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:27, NIV)
- You Must Understand Christ’s Love Design
As you study the heart, character, and ways of Jesus, you will see how the love of Jesus is nonjudgmental, respectful, and caring while it serves and honors God above all. Christ’s love never manipulates, degrades, or uses any form of abuse. Jesus never allowed anyone to abuse him. He allowed people to persecute him because God told him this was His plan to save “all who believe.” Jesus chose to endure persecution and death so he could save us. He also loved us so much that he sent the Holy Spirit to dwell in us to convict us of our sin, as our guide, teacher, and as his power.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ and the truth of God show us Christ’s love that is beyond anything we can imagine. As his disciples, we can thrive in his love, even in the challenges of our lives. I would not have overcome three abusive marriages and divorces without Jesus. I would still be imprisoned in the cycle of domestic abuse.
I know that I would not be alive if I had not discovered and chosen to live in the love of Jesus. Because I learned about the love design of Christ, I am thriving in a healthy Christ-centered marriage with a man of God who loves me like Christ, himself. The love of Jesus has transformed my mind, heart, and life.
Only God knows the plans He has for us. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer. 29:11, NIV) You can love like Jesus when you know his love and walk hand in hand with him each day. You must choose to live out your faith and grow in your personal relationship with Jesus to love like him.
Here is a favorite song that reminds me that being a disciple of Jesus Christ is an honor and a responsibility to let others see Jesus in and through me. Being the loving Gospel of Christ to others is living and loving like Jesus!
Let Them See You by JJ Weeks Band, https://youtu.be/uOg-1JjAdGk
Ready to discover Christ’s love at a deeper level, start your journey of living in Christ’s exceptional love design by following a successful path. Order your copy of Quest for Exceptional Love now! There is also a workbook available!
