The World Needs Your Christ-like Love!

Affection. Appreciation. Fondness. Devotion.

These are a few of the words that can describe what the word “love” means in the world. Christ-like love is a little bit different. In fact, I prefer these words better: Unconditional. Everlasting. Genuine. Real. These words describe the incomprehensible love that God has for us.

A love He has had for us since we were born. A love that we need to lean into every day by remembering all that He has done. He only asks that we return His love by how we live and how we treat others. May we live in a way that honors God while drawing people to Christ.

Furthermore, He understands our faults and shortcomings and knows that we are not perfect, yet He still loves us. He formed us in the womb, and we are fearfully and wonderfully created vessels to bring Him glory (Psalm 139). There is nothing we can do that surprises God. For this reason, I want you to remember that no matter where you have been in life or what you have done, GOD LOVES YOU.

So, I implore you to go out and live with indescribable joy! YOU ARE LOVED.

Christ-like Love Changes Us

With this in mind, knowing that you are loved is just the beginning. As Christians, God encourages us to show that same love toward others. You may be the only opportunity for someone to see a glimpse of Jesus Christ in action, so live intentionally by making a lasting impression and let God do the rest.

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. (Romans 12:9-10)

Absolute. Honest. Legitimate. These are words that describe the word genuine. However, please think about this word: NATURAL. Sharing Christ-like love should be a natural, or rather a supernatural-driven habit. Without the influence of the Holy Spirit, we will struggle to show Christ-like love consistently.

Christ-like Love Controls Us

Once we give our lives over to Jesus, He continues to transform our hearts to be more like Him. We have become a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17). Part of our heart transformation process involves surrender. We should no longer be living for our own desires but be willing to submit to the will of God.

For the love of Christ controls us… that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for Him who for their sake He died and was raised. (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)

When we remember the love Jesus Christ has shown toward us, that should inspire us to live for Him and share that same kind of love toward everyone around us. Our daily focus needs to be showing people near and far what the genuine love of Christ looks like.

Love of God Confirms Us

One of my favorite verses is found in the seventh chapter of Matthew. Even though only God knows the heart of man, this verse gives me direction when praying for someone.

You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes, nor figs from thistles, are they? (Matthew 7:16)

Knowing someone by their fruits is a helpful way to know how to pray for them. No one lives a perfect life. However, the HABITS of an individual may be able to give you insights into their relationship with Christ.

We are all familiar with the friend or family member who states they believe in God, but do their habits align with His? Is there a hunger for a deeper relationship with Jesus? Do they truly understand that being a Christian is not about religion or “spiritual practice” but rather about your relationship with Jesus Christ?

Praying for their weak areas where not much fruit has shown is a great start to showing your Christ-like love toward them. This even applies to those who aren’t already saved.

Christ-like Love Comforts Us

A word of warning. When we seek to live in a way that glorifies God and love as Christ loves, there will be trouble! Trials, tribulations, and tests of faith are all part of the process for every follower of Christ.

In the midst of our painful trials, we must always remember God’s unyielding love. He gave His only Son as a sacrifice for our sins. So, as we desire to live in exquisite faith, we must trust Him, not our feelings. We can’t forget God’s love, and we should seek refuge in the comfort of His bosom.

It is the incomparable love of God that should inspire us to love the way Christ loves. When we remember who He is and all that he continues to do for us, we can have comfort. Along with His comfort, we experience a peace that is beyond all comprehension (Phil. 4:7).

Armed with God’s peace, we can shine the radiant light of Christ-like love on others to warm their hearts and encourage their souls.

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which you where called in one body… (Colossians 3:12-15).

Put on. This means it is something we have to choose to do every day. We need to dress in the garments of kindness and compassion with humility, and everything must be covered with love… a Christ-like love. That is what this world needs now. They need to see a difference in how we carry ourselves, not because we are better than anyone else, but because we have been saved by grace.

As I mentioned earlier, we cannot do this in our own strength. For this reason, let’s make it a priority to embrace the love that God has showered upon us. Ask Him to show us how we can love as Jesus loves. If we are committed to loving like Christ, we can help change the world… one person at a time.