Created to Love Others

Please open your Bible and read:
(Mark 12:28 – 34 )

“Love your neighbor” is a biblical mandate and the foundation of the Golden Rule. But the phrase isn’t complete without the two words that follow it. The complete verse reads, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself. (Mark 12:31, emphasis added)” If we’re to be vessels for pouring out the Father’s love to others, we must treat them unselfishly.

Regardless of our actions or feelings, God is completely in love with us. The proof is in John 3:16: God loved mankind so much that He gave His Son to die for their sins. And He did this while all human beings were still His enemies! (Romans 5:8 -10) No one is worthy of the sacrifice Christ made. But, from God’s perspective, we are worth it. If He considers each of us that valuable, then we ought to look at others similarly.

Experiencing God’s love should inspire us to love our neighbors, everyone in our sphere of influence, no matter how difficult that may be. Throughout the gospels, Jesus repeated the command to His disciples. He knew how often His followers, both then and now, would encounter people who are difficult to love. But we’re most like God when we serve others and place their interests above our own.

We’ll certainly come across some people who seem unlovable. But, the commandment still stands: we’re to love them as ourselves. This is a powerful evangelism tool. Few can resist the attraction of a loving friend acting on God’s behalf. Think of someone in your life today that needs God’s love, and put the Golden Rule into action.

About the Author
This devotional was written by Dr Charles Stanley. Read more about him here: http://www.talk.thelife.com/authors/charles-stanley/

Related Reading
Finding true love: http://militarylives.com/stories/fpeters.html

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