Where can we turn to for encouragement and enablement to serve and love others well? Of course, as Christians, we know we've been called to love one another—and all our neighbors—as Christ has loved us (John 13:34; 15:12). This implies sacrifice, selflessness, mercy, and grace. But it’s not always easy to love others in these ways! So where could we turn to for help?
The answer is the good news of Jesus itself. When we turn to the gospel of Christ, we bathe our hearts with the tender love that Christ has already shown us. It’s a love that is filled with compassion and care, mercy and grace, and even sacrificial selflessness. That’s what the message of the cross is all about: Jesus emptying himself for us. And there is no greater love than this (John 15:13).
If you’ve been struggling to show love to others—be it your spouse, kids, neighbors, or even fellow church members—turn your eyes to the cross of Christ. There you will find a love like no other and the only motivation you need to love well (1 John 4:19).