how to love like jesus

Today we will talk about how to love like Jesus. Many Christians do not know what this means. It can sometimes feel overwhelming, especially when we see examples around us that seem to fall short of Jesus’s love. However, through understanding God’s Word, we can grasp the essence of loving as He did. This journey is about practicing selflessness, kindness, and compassion, reflecting the heart of Jesus in our daily lives. So let’s open our hearts and minds as we navigate the scriptures together and discover the powerful, transformative way that Jesus showed us how to love.

Understanding Jesus’s Love

To truly understand how to love like Jesus, we need to first comprehend what Jesus’s love really looks like. This love is not just about feelings; it’s an action that reflects grace, mercy, and humility. In the Greek language, the word for love, “agape,” speaks to a selfless, unconditional love that seeks the best for others without expecting anything in return (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). This contrasts sharply with the more common Greek term “philia,” which denotes a brotherly love or friendship that is reciprocal. Jesus’s love exemplifies the highest form of love, caring for all—friends, foes, and strangers alike.

Historically, Jesus lived during a time when society was divided by strict religious laws and cultural norms. His approach to love broke down these barriers and reached out to those marginalized and rejected. When we look at His ministry, we see Him loving tax collectors, sinners, and even those who persecuted Him (Luke 19:10, Matthew 5:44). To love like Jesus means embracing that same radical and inclusive love in our own lives, reminding us to cherish the lost and the brokenhearted.

Moreover, His love was shown through acts of service; He washed the feet of His disciples (John 13:14) to illustrate that true love is expressed through humility and service. Jesus teaches us that love is not a mere sentiment felt in the heart; it’s a commitment to act and serve even those who may not deserve it. As we unpack these lessons through scripture, we’ll find that every interaction of Jesus was a reflection of love that was deep, sacrificial, and filled with purpose.

The Unconditional Nature of Love

Jesus’s love transcends conditions; it does not waver based on the actions or responses of others. In Romans 5:8, we read, “But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” This scriptural insight reveals that Jesus loved us even before we recognized Him or repented of our shortcomings. How can we mirror that unconditional love in our relationships? It involves loving others not based on their merit but on our choice to love as Jesus did.

When we look at the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32), we see a father who runs to embrace his wayward son without hesitation or condemnation. This story teaches us about the joy of forgiveness and the willingness to love without conditions. Extending love to someone who has wronged us or is different from us can be challenging. Yet, in these moments, we are called to remember that love is a decision—a decision to keep our hearts open and maintain grace-filled relationships, just as Jesus demonstrated for us.

This unconditional love is also about patience. 1 Corinthians 13:4 reminds us, “Love is patient, love is kind.” We often find ourselves interacting with difficult people in our personal lives or workplaces. It’s in these moments that we reflect on how Jesus extended His love even as He endured betrayal and persecution. Loving like Him means being quick to forgive, slow to anger, and always seeking to restore instead of retaliate.

Serving Others with Love

Another central aspect of Jesus’s love is service. In Matthew 20:28, Jesus states, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Jesus’s life was all about serving others, often putting aside His own comfort for the sake of others. This model exemplifies love in action, and it challenges us to think about how we can serve those around us.

When we consider service, it’s essential to remember that it can take many forms. Sometimes it’s as simple as providing a listening ear to a friend in distress or volunteering time and resources to help those in need (Galatians 5:13). Acts of kindness, however small, become ripples that spread out to influence our communities for good.

Moreover, serving others should be done with an attitude of humility. In Philippians 2:3, we are encouraged to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” Embracing this principle means loving others through our actions while taking a step back to let their needs take precedence over our desires. Genuine love reflects selflessness, and Jesus invites us into this lifestyle where our satisfaction comes from seeing others thrive.

Emphasizing Compassion

Compassion is a vital part of loving like Jesus. Throughout His ministry, we see Jesus repeatedly moved by compassion for others—whether healing the sick (Matthew 14:14) or feeding the hungry (Mark 8:2). Compassion compels us to see others’ struggles and push us to take action to help alleviate pain and suffering.

In Colossians 3:12, we are called to “put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” As Christians, being compassionate is more than just a feeling; it’s an approach to life. Every day presents opportunities to empathize with others’ struggles. Listening to someone going through a hard time or physically helping them can be expressions of that compassion.

Furthermore, Jesus’s parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) powerfully illustrates the importance of compassion. Here, we see a Samaritan who goes out of his way to help someone from a different background. This attitude speaks volumes about empathy and selfless love. It teaches us that loving like Jesus means seeing the humanity in every person, irrespective of stereotypes, biases, or preconceived ideas.

Forgiveness as an Act of Love

Forgiveness is one of the hardest parts of loving like Jesus. When Jesus was crucified, He asked God to forgive those who were torturing Him, saying, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). This incredible demonstration of love highlights the strength required to forgive others genuinely. It shows that forgiveness is a choice, reflecting how we release ourselves from the chains of bitterness and resentment.

In Matthew 18:21-22, when Peter asks Jesus how often he should forgive his brother, Jesus replied that it should be “seventy times seven.” This is indicative of a love that holds no records of wrongs and whose willingness to pardon is as vast as the sea. When we forgive, we embody the grace shown to us by Christ, fostering healing in relationships despite the harm that may have been done.

To love like Jesus means to practice forgiveness actively—letting go of grudges and learning to view others through the lens of grace. It’s essential for believing Christians to remember that forgiving others is not just an option but a command (Ephesians 4:32). As we attempt to embody His love, we begin to experience the freedom that forgiveness brings to our own lives, allowing love to flourish without the weight of past hurts.

Living with a Purposeful Love

Finally, loving like Jesus requires us to love purposefully. Jesus’s love was not reactive; it was intentional and rooted in His mission to serve, save, and uplift humanity. In John 15:12, we read, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” This illustration portrays love as an active choice dictated by a higher purpose—actively choosing to love others as a reflection of Christ’s love for us.

We can ask ourselves, “How can I love others today?” or “What small acts can I do that lead people towards Christ?” Living out purposeful love means being mindful of how our actions reflect our faith and sharing the gospel through love. Galatians 6:10 encourages us to “do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.” It is an invitation to cultivate love and carry it beyond the walls of our churches to touch a hurting world.

For many of us, this may start with our families, friends, and colleagues at work. A simple word of encouragement can uplift another’s spirit, while a genuine compliment can build someone’s day. By being intentional about expressing love, we join Jesus in the beautiful mission to enrich the lives of others.

Final Thoughts

Loving like Jesus isn’t just about feeling love; it’s about acting on that love in ways that reflect His character. Through His unconditional nature, service, compassion, forgiveness, and purposeful living, we can be channels of His love in a world that desperately needs it. Each step we take towards loving others like Jesus becomes a transformative journey that reshapes our relationships and communities. It may seem challenging at times, but with God’s grace, we can cultivate such profound love, leading others to feel the light of Christ shining through us.

As we wrap up this discussion, may we take these teachings to heart and put them into practice. Let’s commit ourselves to being intentional in our love, serving selflessly, forgiving genuinely, and showing compassion freely. In doing so, we not only become better followers of Christ, but we also show the world what it means to love truly.

Now, let’s go forth and shine His light by loving like Jesus every day!

Further Reading

30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)

4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4

how to love like jesus