John 15:12 ~ Daily Bible Verse for November 25

John 15:12 Devotional

Love each other

Jesus, in John 15:12, commands you and me to love each other the way He loved us. That is, sacrificially, as He demonstrated on the cross.

This is the kind of love that is based on your decision to obey, and then to love by giving yourself to others. Meaning that love is shown through obedience. And obedience requires action which is only made possible through loving interactions with others.

The love that Jesus commands us to demonstrate is the love of a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), thus, the mark of genuine discipleship. The “love each other” command of Jesus is at the core of following Him.

Therefore, love each other is the primary command that Jesus used to complete the chain of love comprising the Father, Jesus, and the disciples. Therefore, the followers of Jesus Christ are to follow the model of Jesus in loving them. They are to cultivate mutual love among themselves.

Abiding in Christ, His words, and His love is what will enable you to love others. That is, we abide in Christ, who abides in God, by loving Him.

When you love Jesus, you cannot go out and do what you will rather than what He wills. Love for one another is rooted in the ultimate love of Christ.

The only challenge is that we are imperfect people. You won’t typically struggle with loving God. But you can easily be selfish with your time and effort. Your anger can flare up quickly with others as well.

The connection with Jesus is what allows us to love others. Jesus tells us that we can do nothing apart from Him (John 15:5). Meaning that we can love other people because of the power and love of Christ.

Prayer

Lord, I choose to obey Your command on loving others. Empower me in Your will so that I may love others as You desire me to. I ask this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Blessing

May you love others as He has loved you. Amen.

Daily Bible Reading

Ezekiel 1-4 (see How to Read the Bible in One Year or How to Read the Bible (for Beginners))