3.14 The secret to loving others

In the Old Testament, the second greatest commandment of the law demands that we love our neighbor as ourselves (Lev 19:18). Again, as spiritual bankrupts, the law could not be fulfilled through our own human ability. In fact, Israel did the opposite by killing their own brother, Stephen, the first martyr. Jesus fulfilled it on our behalf and He gave us His love. He also gave us the source of love – His Holy Spirit.

In the New Testament, the focus is on God’s love for us and God’s love in us, which give us the power to love others.

(1 John 4:11)
Beloved, IF GOD SO LOVED US, we also ought to LOVE ONE ANOTHER.

Thank God that we are no longer spiritual bankrupts. We are recipients and bearers of His love. Matt 10:8 says, “Freely you have received, freely give.” We can only give when we have first received. Therefore receive and be full of his love, and let His love be channeled through you to others.

The Bible says that we have a debt to love one another. Love is the lubricant that minimizes the friction and the medicine to heal emotional hurts, to bring forgiveness and to cause everything to work. When we love one another with the love of Christ, the law will automatically be fulfilled.

(Romans 13:8)
OWE no one anything except to LOVE ONE ANOTHER, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

The Bible says that it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). As a Christian, we start our journey by receiving. As we grow, we will begin to share His love in service to God and to others. When we do that, we will usually find ourselves receiving even more from God. We should aspire to be a channel of God’s love to others.

If we have a problem with loving others, the real problem is a lack of revelation of His love for us.