Topic: Following Jesus Means Loving Everyone [RICK WARREN Devotional 21 January 2022]

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Following Jesus Means Loving Everyone

“Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up.”

1 Corinthians 13:7 (GW)If you are a follower of Christ, you must love everybody in the same way that Christ loves you. That means you are to accept them completely, love them unconditionally, forgive them totally, and consider them extremely valuable—whether you like them or not.

It’s not an option or a suggestion. It’s a command: “Now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other” (John 13:34 NLT).

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Loving others in this way will transform your relationships!

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 13:7, “Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up” (GW).

That’s how God loves you. He never stops being patient with you. He never stops believing in you. He never stops hoping for the best in your life. He never gives up on you. And God wants you to love others the same way.

Love never stops being patient. Love extends grace. You can offer grace to others.

Love never stops believing. Love expresses faith. Love allows you to say, “Even though we’re having a tough time, I will never stop believing in you.”

Love never stops hoping. Love expects the best. Are you expecting the best in your primary relationships, or have you settled for less than best?

Love never gives up. Love endures the worst. With love, you can say, “You can throw everything at me, but I’m going to keep loving you, no matter what.”

If you want to start transforming your relationships today, I invite you to say this prayer:

“Dear God, I admit that I have made a mess in my relationships. They’re complicated and broken, and I’ve often settled for less than best. They need a transformation. I want you to begin by changing me. Deliver me from my fears, because I can see how they make me distant, defensive, and even demanding. Today, and every day from now on, I want to surrender my heart to you. I want to learn to live my life dwelling in and filled with your love.

“Help me to accept others, just as you’ve accepted me. Help me to love others unconditionally, just as you have loved me. Help me to forgive others totally, just as you’ve forgiven me. And help me to value others as much as you value me. Help me to extend grace to and express faith in the people around me. Help me to expect the best in others, and when the worst happens, help me to endure it with grace. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.”

• What’s one specific way you have experienced God’s love in your life?
• How can you love other people in the same way you’ve experienced God loving you?
• Who in your life is difficult to love? What is one way you can choose to love them this week?

Have you trusted God’s promise of salvation through Jesus Christ?

If you’re ready to commit your life to Jesus, then pray this prayer:

“Dear Jesus, you have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.

“I confess my sin, and I receive you into my life as my Lord and Savior. You have promised that if I confess my sin and trust you, I will be saved. I trust you when you say salvation comes by grace, through faith, and not by anything I do. Today I’m turning over every part of my life to your management.

“I’m grateful for your unconditional love. I want to use the rest of my life to love and serve you instead of serving myself. I commit my life to you and ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

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