John 13:34 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
I really thought today’s reflection was supposed to be about not judging others, but God very clearly laid a message of His unconditional love on my heart, and when you think about it, the opposite of judgment is love. I can either judge you for the ways in which you fall short of my mark, the ways in which your actions do not fit my norms and standards, or I can treat you with “unconditional positive regard” by respecting the One who created you and who loves you without reservation.
John 15:12 This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Don’t think unconditional love is easy. It’s not. It involves a very intentional laying aside if my own preconceived notions, of this idea that I am somehow qualified to judge the actions of others, even though I have not been in their shoes. It involves reminding myself that others are more than the time I have spent with them, that their worth is more than my snap judgement. It is staying mindful of the fact that Christ covers my sins and shortcomings daily with His overwhelming grace, that I mess up a thousand times and He wipes my slate clean by loving me anyway and giving me another chance to get it right.
John 15:17 This is My command to you: Love one another.
Lord, Thank You for this day and for this reminder to love one another unconditionally and fiercely as You love us. Help us to put aside our judgments and criticisms, no matter how well meaning, and to hold each other in Your “unconditional positive regard.” Help us to uplift and encourage each other and point each other to You. Draw us closer. Amen.
Romans 12:10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Outdo yourselves in honoring one another.
Have a blessed day.