In John Chapter 15 verse 12 and 13, Jesus says that His commandment is to love one another the way that He has loved us.

Jesus then says that there is no greater love anyone has known but to lay down one’s life for his friend. What if you don’t agree with the way your friend lives their life? Is this the way we are still to love them?

The answer is yes, and the reason is because Jesus did.

John 3:16 (ESV) says “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

God loved us when we disagreed with Him and lived a life of sin. He did not pull His love away, instead He made a way to His love through His son’s sacrifice.

We are a light to those who don’t know Him, by showing the very love He showed us and met us where we were. 1 John 3:16 (ESV) “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”

We know love because He first showed us love when we didn’t deserve that love. We must love one another, even when they don’t love us.


Pastor Scott Acklin ministers at New Fire Ministries.