February 15: Love One Another
John 13:34-35 (ESV)
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Read The Full Devotional Below.
The Challenge of Love in Difficult Seasons
New England winters are notoriously unforgiving. The endless stretch of overcast skies and biting cold gradually erodes the spirit, leaving one yearning for the renewal of spring. When illness compounds this seasonal burden, as it has for my son Carter and me, exhaustion becomes more than just a physical ailment—it becomes a test of endurance and resilience.
Presently, Carter and I find ourselves engaged in this struggle, battling a relentless flu. Each cough and ache amplifies our fatigue, making even the simplest tasks feel insurmountable. Yet, amid our weariness, responsibilities persist, relationships require attention, and love demands expression—even when our reserves feel utterly depleted.
It is in these moments that love transcends mere sentiment and becomes a deliberate act of will. Love is not contingent upon convenience or emotional availability; rather, it is a choice made repeatedly in the face of adversity.
Jesus, in His final discourse before His crucifixion, did not merely encourage love when circumstances were favorable. He issued a commandment: love one another, just as I have loved you. His love was not conditional; it was sacrificial, enduring, and unwavering.
The Sacrificial Nature of Christlike Love
Love that aligns with Christ’s example is inherently sacrificial. It does not emerge solely in moments of joy and ease but is revealed most profoundly in suffering and hardship. Jesus demonstrated this when He knelt to wash the feet of His disciples, knowing they would soon betray and abandon Him. His love was not predicated on their worthiness but on His divine nature.
The command to love one another is not a passive suggestion but an imperative. It calls us to extend grace and kindness even when we are exhausted, frustrated, or unappreciated. In practical terms, this might mean caring for a loved one despite our own frailty, offering patience when our energy is depleted, or choosing compassion when annoyance is easier.
True love is tested not in moments of comfort but in seasons of struggle. Will we love when it costs us something? Will we extend ourselves when doing so feels impossible? These are the questions that define our discipleship.
The Demand for Love in Daily Life
At this moment, as Carter and I navigate our shared illness, I am confronted with a choice. I can succumb to frustration and disengagement, or I can rise to the occasion, modeling the love Christ commands. Love in action is not grandiose; it is found in the small, persistent choices—to listen, to encourage, to extend grace when patience wears thin.
This is the love Jesus refers to when He states, By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. Our credibility as followers of Christ is not demonstrated through words alone but through tangible expressions of love, especially in adversity.
It is not the monumental gestures but the consistent, daily acts of selflessness that reveal Christ in us. Love is manifested in unseen moments, in the grace extended to those who do not reciprocate, and in the endurance to love beyond comfort and convenience.
How to Cultivate Christlike Love
Genuine, transformative love requires divine empowerment. Our natural inclination is to withdraw when exhausted, to prioritize self-preservation over sacrificial giving. However, Jesus calls us to something higher. How do we cultivate this kind of love?
Seek strength through prayer. Human effort alone is insufficient for the demands of Christlike love. We must petition God for the grace to love beyond our limitations.
Understand that love is a deliberate act. Love is not merely a feeling; it is an intentional decision made daily.
Embrace small acts of service. Simple expressions of kindness—encouraging words, acts of assistance, moments of patience—accumulate to reflect a life of love.
Recognize love as our testimony. The world identifies us as followers of Christ not through theological arguments but through the visible manifestation of love in our lives.
Rest in the love of God. We cannot give what we do not possess. Abiding in God’s love equips us to pour into others from a place of spiritual abundance.
The Epiphany of Love’s Power
There is a profound revelation in pushing beyond exhaustion to extend love. When we persevere through fatigue, choosing grace over withdrawal, we embody a love that is truly transformative. This love is not bound by emotion but by divine calling.
It is in these moments that we begin to comprehend the magnitude of Christ’s love for us—a love that is not dictated by convenience, but by commitment. When we reflect this love, we illuminate Christ to a watching world.
The call to love is not rooted in ease but in endurance. It is a choice that reshapes us, drawing us closer to the heart of God. When we embrace this truth, we cease viewing love as an obligation and begin to see it as the highest privilege of our faith.
Living Out Love Daily
Identify someone in need of love today, even if it requires sacrifice. Commit to showing up for them.
Ask God for the capacity to love beyond convenience. Let love be an intentional choice rather than a circumstantial reaction.
If you are struggling with weariness, take time to rest in God’s love. His love is the source of our ability to love others.
Look for opportunities to demonstrate love in practical ways—through words, service, patience, and presence.
If you desire to deepen your understanding and practice of love, join the FaithLabz 30-Day Prayer Challenge. Let us walk this journey of love together.
Because love is not passive—it is an active, transformative force that defines who we are in Christ.
A Prayer for Strength to Love
Father, I acknowledge my limitations. There are moments when I am weary, when love feels like an impossible burden. Yet, You call me to love regardless. Strengthen me to love like Jesus—to extend grace beyond my own capacity, to serve selflessly, to reflect Your nature in every interaction. Let my love be a testimony of Your presence in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
An Invitation to go Deeper….
If today’s message spoke to you, join the FaithLabz 30-Day Prayer Challenge and strengthen your connection with God’s unshakable love. You are never alone—let’s grow together!
