Beyond Words: What It Really Means to Love Like Jesus
Love isn't a spiritual upgrade—it's standard equipment for every believer.
When you embraced the gospel, you didn't just receive forgiveness. You received an invitation into a life marked by the same kind of love Christ showed you. This is the beautiful reality John unfolds in 1 John 3:11-24. From the moment of salvation, we're called to love one another—not as a burden, but as the natural overflow of what we've received.
Here's the encouraging truth: love isn't primarily about feelings. It's about faithful action. It's measured not by the warmth in your heart on any given day, but by your willingness to show up, to serve, to give what you have when someone needs it.
The Cross Shows Us the Way
When we wonder what love really looks like, we look at Calvary. Jesus didn't wait for us to deserve His love—He gave it freely while we were still far from Him. That voluntary, sacrificial, victorious love now invites us to live differently.
When Jesus said, "greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends," He was showing us the path forward. While we may not be called to martyrdom, we're all invited to lay down our preferences, our comfort, our agendas for the sake of others.
Moving From Words to Action
Here's where we can gently examine our own hearts: do our actions match our words? John reminds us that if we have the means to help someone in need but choose not to, we might want to ask ourselves where God's love is flowing in our lives.
Love that remains theoretical never changes anyone. Love that's genuine steps into the mess, offers practical help, and meets real needs.
This week, you have an opportunity. Start with those closest to you—your family, your church community, your neighbors. Let the love God has poured into your heart overflow naturally into theirs.
When people encounter you, may they leave knowing something intangible but unmistakable: they were seen, valued, and cared for. Not because you had all the right answers, but because you reflected the kindness of Christ.
This is how we become His hands and feet—not through perfection, but through persistent, practical love that looks like Jesus to a watching world.
When you embraced the gospel, you didn't just receive forgiveness. You received an invitation into a life marked by the same kind of love Christ showed you. This is the beautiful reality John unfolds in 1 John 3:11-24. From the moment of salvation, we're called to love one another—not as a burden, but as the natural overflow of what we've received.
Here's the encouraging truth: love isn't primarily about feelings. It's about faithful action. It's measured not by the warmth in your heart on any given day, but by your willingness to show up, to serve, to give what you have when someone needs it.
The Cross Shows Us the Way
When we wonder what love really looks like, we look at Calvary. Jesus didn't wait for us to deserve His love—He gave it freely while we were still far from Him. That voluntary, sacrificial, victorious love now invites us to live differently.
When Jesus said, "greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends," He was showing us the path forward. While we may not be called to martyrdom, we're all invited to lay down our preferences, our comfort, our agendas for the sake of others.
Moving From Words to Action
Here's where we can gently examine our own hearts: do our actions match our words? John reminds us that if we have the means to help someone in need but choose not to, we might want to ask ourselves where God's love is flowing in our lives.
Love that remains theoretical never changes anyone. Love that's genuine steps into the mess, offers practical help, and meets real needs.
This week, you have an opportunity. Start with those closest to you—your family, your church community, your neighbors. Let the love God has poured into your heart overflow naturally into theirs.
When people encounter you, may they leave knowing something intangible but unmistakable: they were seen, valued, and cared for. Not because you had all the right answers, but because you reflected the kindness of Christ.
This is how we become His hands and feet—not through perfection, but through persistent, practical love that looks like Jesus to a watching world.
This week’s blog draws from the message shared by Interim Pastor Steve Dighton on Sunday, November 2. You can watch the full message here.
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