Disciples of Jesus are filled with His love - week 2 of 2
One of the greatest marks of a disciple is this: we are filled with His love.
Jesus gave us a new commandment to love others the way He has loved us, but this isn’t about copying Jesus or trying harder—it’s about receiving His love first.
You can’t give what you haven’t received. But when you encounter the love of Christ, you can love others with His love.
This isn’t just a suggestion—it’s a commandment 📜. And here’s a reminder of the good news: His commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3). Deuteronomy 30 reminds us that God’s word is not far away or too hard to reach. It’s near you, in your mouth and in your heart 💬❤️.
Not Copying Jesus—Receiving His Love
We’re not called to mimic Jesus by trying to die for others. We’re called to love as He has loved us. You can’t give what you haven’t received. But when you encounter His love, you can love with His love!
John 15:12 says:
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
So it’s not “What would Jesus do?” but “What has Jesus done for me?” Receive His love first, then share it.
Why Is It Hard Sometimes?
We know we ought to love (1 John 3:16), but what makes it difficult?
Tiredness 😴
Self-interest 👉 😌💭
Offense or provocation 👉 😡🔥
Feeling people don’t deserve it 👉 🤷♂️🚫❤️
Jesus said even if someone sins against you seven times in a day, forgive them (Luke 17:4). The apostles replied, “Increase our faith!” Why? Because faith makes love possible. Mark 9:23 says:
“Nothing is impossible for them that believe.”
Three Ways to Build Faith in His Love
Remain in His Love 🌿
Meditate on His love daily. Joshua 1:8 says:“This law of love shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night.”
The law of love is simple: love as He has loved us. Make meditating on how much the Father loves you a daily priority.Stir Up What’s Inside 🔥
Ephesians 5:18 says: “Be filled with the Spirit.” The original language means keep on being filled. How?Speak psalms and hymns (Eph 5:19) 🎶
Give thanks always 🙏
Pray in the Spirit (Jude 20)
Live By Faith 💬
Romans 10:8 says: “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart.” Declare:
✅ “I walk in love.”
✅ “God’s love is in me.”
✅ “I follow the way of love.”
Faith speaks this way: “You’ve already loved my neighbor for me, now I let that love flow through me.”
Final Thought
Love is the fulfillment of the law. His divine nature is inside us. So let’s:
✔ Meditate on His love
✔ Stir up His love through worship and prayer
✔ Live by faith—declare and act like the Bible is true