Love is the primary identity of believers. Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Love is not merely a feeling, but a commitment: a commitment to accept, understand, serve, and give ourselves to others, including those who are difficult to love. The commitment to love is not easy, yet it is the true sign of someone who lives in the light of Christ.
We often view love as an emotion that appears automatically. Yet true love is seen when we choose to keep loving, even when it is difficult. Romans 12:9 says, “Let love be without hypocrisy; abhor what is evil and cling to what is good.” Genuine love requires integrity. Love should not become a mask, but an action born from a transformed heart.
To love others means to see people the way God sees them. Everyone we meet—whether pleasant or hurtful—is a precious creation of God. To love others means realizing that the love we receive from God must flow, not stop with us. When we experience God’s forgiveness, we are called to forgive. When we receive His grace, we are called to extend that same grace to others.
However, loving others is often a significant challenge in life. Some people are frustrating, hurt, or difficult to approach. But true love does not discriminate. Jesus teaches us to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, and do good to those who do not return the favor. This is impossible to do by human strength, but possible through the Holy Spirit working in our hearts.
Love also means giving ourselves. Love is not passive; love moves actively. 1 John 3:18 says, “Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Love is visible in action: helping those in need, praying for the wounded, being present for the lonely, or giving time, energy, and attention to the people God has entrusted to us.
A commitment to love also means maintaining relationships. Conflict is part of life. However, those who are committed to love do not run from conflict. They choose to dialogue, forgive, and restore relationships. They reject bitterness and vengeance. They choose the path of reconciliation. Love repairs what is broken and restores what is lost.
Loving also means being humble. Many conflicts arise because of pride and the desire to win. But love teaches us to humble ourselves and to consider the interests of others (Philippians 2:3–4). Love makes us willing to apologize when we are wrong and admit mistakes without defending ourselves.
In addition, love also means being patient. Love does not demand instant change from others. Love gives space for others to grow. Just as God is patient with us, we are called to be patient with others: spouses, children, ministry partners, coworkers, or friends who are in the process of healing.
The peak of the commitment to love is sacrificial love. Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). True love gives, not takes. Love sacrifices ego, time, comfort, and even personal rights for the good of others.
Today, let us reflect: Do I genuinely love others, or only those who are easy to love? Are there relationships I need to restore? Do I give others space to grow? Is my love evident in action? Let us continue to build a commitment to love others, so that our identity as disciples of Christ is evident in this world. Amen.