Loving as Christ Loved

In the Gospel of John, Jesus gives us a new commandment: to love one another. At first glance, this might seem redundant, as the Old Testament already commands us to love our neighbor as ourselves and to love God. The law was given to help guide us on the path of love, but it fell short. Why? Because real love requires grace. It’s not just about following rules or adhering to commands; it’s about transformation, something the law alone could not achieve.

Here, Jesus offers us something deeper, something more profound. He calls us to love as He has first loved us. This is not merely an extension of the Old Testament commandments; it is a call to a radically self-giving love, rooted in Christ’s example. But why this specific call to love as Christ loved? What makes this different?

The answer is simple: this kind of love glorifies God. It is a love that willingly aligns itself with God’s will, a love that is not self-centered but God-centered. Through this love, we don’t just love our neighbor or ourselves, we love God. In so doing, we invite the world to see that we are His disciples. Faith is not merely a private relationship between an individual and God; it is communal. It involves us, our neighbors, and God, creating a beautiful, interconnected relationship.

What does this love look like in practice? To answer that, we need only look to the cross. Jesus’ love for us was not a mere emotion or passing feeling; it was an act of total self-sacrifice. He gave His very life for the Church, and He calls us to do the same. His love was complete and unconditional. To love as Christ loved means to embody this ultimate act of self-giving by giving ourselves, our time, our comfort, and our desires for the good of others.

What might this love look like in our daily lives? One clear example comes from the book of Acts. Paul and Barnabas traveled the known world, proclaiming the good news and strengthening the churches. Yet they didn’t do so without hardship. In fact, they saw suffering as a necessary part of entering the Kingdom of God. As they said, "Through many tribulations we must enter the Kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). They recognized that suffering was not incidental; it was integral to the Christian life.

Why is suffering necessary? It seems paradoxical, doesn’t it? In the world’s eyes, suffering is a sign of defeat or failure. But for the Christian, suffering holds a deeper significance. It is not an obstacle to love; it is often the very means by which we express it.

We are called to a love that transcends the comfort and ease of this world. Humanly speaking, this love can seem impossible. But God calls us to something greater, something far beyond anything this world can offer. Our suffering puts things into perspective. It reminds us that the joys of this world are fleeting, while the love of God endures forever.

Does anyone enjoy suffering? Of course not. Suffering is, at its root, a result of sin. When humanity rebelled against God, it fractured our relationships: with Him, with one another, and with the world itself. The tension we experience in this world, the very suffering we endure, reminds us of the brokenness of creation. But this suffering is also a gift. It helps us recognize that we were made for something far greater than this world. We were made for communion with God and with one another, a communion that we cannot fully realize in this life. Suffering points us toward our true home, where all will be made new.

In the midst of our suffering, God has not abandoned us. He came to dwell among us through Christ, and He remains with us through the Holy Spirit. His grace is ever-present, dwelling within us and strengthening us. Through grace, we are able to love as Christ loved. Without this grace, our love would be weak and limited. But with God’s help, we can love even in our brokenness, and find the strength to love sacrificially.

God also grants us fortitude- courage- to endure suffering. His grace enables us to face even the most difficult trials with hope. We can endure, not by our own strength, but because He strengthens us from within. In the end, our suffering is not eternal. As Revelation promises, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning, crying or pain" (Revelation 21:4). Our suffering, though real and painful, is temporary. Christ, who sits on the throne, will make all things new.

Though this world may be broken, Christ is making all things new. He is gracious, merciful, and compassionate. He calls us to Himself, so that we may praise His name forever in love and joy. In heaven, we will experience love in its fullest form, a love without limit, without pain, and without end. This is the ultimate fulfillment of the love we are called to live out here on earth: communion with God and each other, forever.

How might God be calling you to love more fully, even when it costs you something?