Exemplify Exemplo

To Love like him

One of my earliest memories from school was a lesson we were taught in the catholic aftercare program I was enrolled in, it was what they called “The Golden Rule”. I’m sure we have all learned it, or at least heard it. Say it with me “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” I went my entire life thinking that was the best approach for relationships until I had the pleasure of getting married to the love of my life. See it really should read find out how the other person wants to be treated and then treat them that way. Have you ever considered how God wants to be treated? In order to exemplify Christ we must Love Like God, and also love God. Before I got married I had to start learning my wife’s love language based on the 5 love languages which is a book by Gary Chapman. If you haven’t read it, the book suggest that there are five love languages. They are gift giving, quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service (devotion), and physical touch.

Have you ever wondered what God’s Love Language is, like how does God want us to communicate that we love him? We spend so much time studying about his love toward us that we forget that it should be a reciprocal relationship. Would you or could you love someone who did not love you back? As a child I would often tell my mother I love her once I had gotten in trouble and her response would be john 14:15 If you love me keep my commandments. Jesus says this to his disciples right after he told them he would do whatever they ask in his name. Does this mean God wants us to keep all of his commands and if we don’t he won’t bless us? No. It means that he wants us to exemplify him. That’s why the next thing he says is that he will have his father send the holy spirit, because we can not mirror Christ through our own power, works, or merit. We can only really begin to act like Christ and let our light shine in the darkness through the gift of grace and the power of the Holy Spirit. 

Today reflect on how you can Love others like Christ loves you. They cut you off in traffic, respond in love. They jump in front of you in line, respond with love. Bless them that curse you, Love like Jesus. 

Prayer Starter: God I ask that you allow your Holy Spirit into the life, body, and mind of this reader. Help them to begin to Love like you. Give them the power to forgive the unforgivable. Love the very ones that hurt them. Give them the power to shine the light of your love in the darkest places of their lives, and allow them to see a difference in the most difficult areas of their lives. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.