Love as I Love

"This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you."  Words of Jesus.

John 15:12

This was one of the verses that I read this morning in my Bible Study.  It smote my heart.  I realized that I have fallen way short of how the Lord wants me to love others.

Loving others the way Christ loves me is not an option, it's a command.

In order to love others that way, I must first know Christ's love for me, and I need to recognize His love in words and actions.

    Christ gave Himself for me.  Do I give myself for others?

    He put me first.  Do I put other's first?

    He always gives.  Do I give, or do I expect to get?

    He shared all that He had.  Do I share, or do I hoard?

Everything Christ did was because He loved.  He had no self-motive, no self-gain.  His love was healing and His love was pure.

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.  He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.  

1 John 4:7-8

Jesus Christ was and is the very essence of the Fruit of the Spirit of Galatians 5:22,23.

"Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance.

Do I have this Spirit when I speak to others?

Jesus Christ was and is the perfect example of 1 Corinthians 13:

    He spoke with love-

    He had faith to move all obstacles-

    He gave His provision to feed the poor-

    He sacrificed His very body for all service-

    He has a love that is kind and not proud-

    His behavior in all things is pleasing to God-

    He sought after the needs of others and not His own-

    He was not easily provoked, and He didn't think evil of anyone-

    He rejoiced in Truth!

    He bore all things, He believed all things, and He endured all things-

For you, and for me.

He never gave up on love-He knew it was and is the only thing that will never fail.

Am I an example of His love to my family?  My friend?  My neighbors?

    It's a sobering thought...

        But that's just me!

Love as I Loved

by Ron Hamilton

When the Lord was speaking to the crowd,

A beggar came,

Who fell down before Christ, and called out His Name,

The disciples quickly came,

and they turned the man away,

Till they saw the Lord's compassion

and they heard the Saviour say-

"Love as I loved,

Give as I gave,

These are the people,

That I came to save,

Love as I loved,

and I will shine through,

Let other's see,

My love in you."

Yesterday, my time was filled with vain and empty things,

And I was so busy, with all that life brings,

People crowded in my way,

and I pushed them all away,

They were just a senseless bother,

Till I heard the Saviour say-

-chorus-