Following Jesus' Example in How We Love Others.
It's February and what better time to discuss a subject that is dear to the hearts of nearly everyone. Love is so important in our lives that we devote a special day so that we can demonstrate our love to those who are closest to us. But while Valentine's Day is certainly a special holiday for many of us, we should not forget that across the earth — and in our own neighborhoods — are untold billions of individuals who live out their days with the cold reality that there are few if any who truly love and care about them.
Friend, that is why Jesus came to earth: to bring the love of the heavenly Father to everyone. Through the salvation Jesus freely gives to each of us, one of the greatest rewards we have is to serve as a conduit of His love, to our family and friends, of course, but also to those we find difficult to love. His love for us makes it possible for us to love others.
It all begins with fixing our gaze upon Him, and, through the power of His Holy Spirit, committing to loving God with all of our heart, soul, and mind. Jesus calls that “the first and great commandment,” and then He tells us that there is a second commandment that is like the first: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37‑39).
And who, exactly, is that neighbor God commands us to love? Scripture makes clear that it’s more than just those who live next door to us, those we work with each day, or others around us. Jesus answers that question with the well‑known parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10: 29‑37). Most of us know the story by heart: A man going about his own business is robbed, beaten, and left half‑dead on the road outside Jerusalem. A priest and a Levite pass by, respectable folk fully capable of rendering aid and compassion, but who ignore the need. In the end it is left to a passing Samaritan, despised by the world, to rescue the wounded and dying man.
The point of this unforgettable story is that just how the Samaritan responded to the need, how he loved his neighbor, is how Jesus loves us. And it is how He calls us to love others — both when it is convenient and when it isn’t.
"Loving like Jesus is impossible unless we're plugged into Him, the source of all love."
Not long ago Laurie and I sat down with our friends, psychologists and relationship experts Les and Leslie Parrott, to talk about what it looks like to love the way Jesus loves. In fact, Dr. Les Parrott has written a New York Times bestselling book entitled Love Like That, which breaks down the process into five simple but powerful, principles. To love others like Jesus loves us means that we seek to be:
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Mindful, intentionally connecting with other people, rather than living emotionally detached and disconnected.
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Approachable, so that others feel safe and welcome in relationship with us.
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Grace-filled, seeking to be kind and tolerant in how we relate to others.
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Bold, standing against the fear and intimidation that would isolate us from others.
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Self-giving, jettisoning a self‑absorbed attitude and investing ourselves in the lives of those around us.
Les puts it this way: “Through His example and teaching, Jesus was, in effect, saying to us: ‘If you want to love at the highest level — like I love — you have to pay attention to more than just your agenda.’ That means recognizing and meeting someone else’s need.” He adds that “when you decide to love like Jesus, it’s inconvenient and it will slow down your life. Things that are urgent and immediate for you will take a back seat to the needs of others.”
Of course, as Les himself admits, loving like Jesus is impossible unless we’re plugged into Him, the source of all love. Jesus said: “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NIV). The fruit of His love in our lives increases as we connect more and more to Him, through the Holy Spirit He sent us for that very purpose. You can watch the Praise episode with Les and Leslie Parrott here.
Friend, here at TBN our mission is all about helping you and viewers all over the world connect to Jesus, to know and love Him more every day and, in turn, to be a vessel of His love to all the people He has placed in your realm of influence. Every program we produce and broadcast, and every moment we are on the air, we consider God‑given opportunities for us to impact the world — including your community, your home, and your loved ones — with the love of Jesus.
What’s more, we consider it an honor and privilege to partner with people just like you, who stand with us in prayer and financial stewardship as we broadcast God’s love 24 hours a day to homes and hearts across the earth. You are an integral part of how God is using TBN to reach untold millions of individuals and families with His hope, healing, and love.
Thank you for your commitment to this epic global outreach. And may God continue to bless and empower as together we serve as that conduit of His love.
Matt and Laurie Crouch