John 14:15 “If you love me, keep my commands.
In John 13:34, Jesus gives us a new commandment: “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” Easy peasy, right? Not so much. Jesus prayed for His persecutors as He was dying on the cross. That is the type of love He is asking of me. It is a tall order.
John 14:16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—
There are a lot of people who spew hate in this world. There are also folks who do what they do from motives that they see as pure and true, even if their actions cause harm. And I have been known to react strongly in defense of someone of something being unfairly attacked. So I struggle at times with how Jesus’s command to love one another is to be fully lived out.
John 14:17a the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him.
Lord, I know that You don’t intend for us to love only when it is easy or convenient. I also know that You don’t intend for us to love and support evil or wrong. But You tell us, clearly, to love one another as You love us–past our sins, our faults, our shortcomings. Wholeheartedly. Help me to be a positive force for Your love in this world. Show me how. Amen.
John 14:17b …But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.
Have a blessed day.