25-333 — Loving One Another Well

Today we’re stepping into a command from Jesus that sounds simple… until you actually try to live it out:“Love one another.”Not tolerate.Not coexist.Not avoid conflict.Not “love the lovable.”But love one another.And if we’re being honest, this might be one of the hardest commands Jesus ever gave.Because people are complicated.Relationships are messy.Personalities collide.Boundaries get crossed.Expectations go unmet.Feelings get bruised.Misunderstandings multiply.And yet…Jesus didn’t give us an escape clause.He didn’t say, “Love one another when it’s convenient.”He didn’t say, “Love one another when they deserve it.”He said:“Love one another as I have loved you.”Brother… that level of love is not soft or sentimental.It’s surrender.It’s sacrifice.It’s spiritual strength.It is warfare against the darkness that seeks to divide God’s people.Let’s go.📜 OUR SPRINGBOARD FOR TODAY’S DISCUSSION IS:John 13:34–35 (ESV)“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you… By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”📖 TEACHINGJesus didn’t say the world will know we’re His by:* our theology* our programs* our worship style* our political views* our knowledge* our gifts* our church sizeHe said:“By this — love.”Love is the badge of discipleship.The mark of maturity.The standard of Christlikeness.But here’s the truth:Loving one another well requires a crucified ego.It means:* Choosing patience over frustration* Choosing listening over arguing* Choosing grace over retaliation* Choosing forgiveness over resentment* Choosing unity over being right* Choosing empathy over indifference* Choosing compassion over convenienceThis is why love is warfare:It kills the flesh while breathing life into the Spirit.It destroys pride while building unity.It breaks cycles of hurt while planting seeds of healing.It silences the enemy’s accusations while amplifying God’s presence.Love is not weak.Love is not passive.Love is not optional.Love is our greatest spiritual weapon.Brother… you know my story.There was a time when I thought strength meant dominance — especially with my words.I thought leadership meant force.I thought influence meant volume.I thought truth meant sharpness.But the collateral damage of that mindset was heavy:* strained relationships* broken trust* emotional distance* wounded hearts* spiritual exhaustionIn my darkest season — when my relationships trembled and my faith was shaken — God whispered a truth that humbled me to my core:“You can win the argument and lose the person.”And that’s when I realized:Love isn’t expressed in how hard you hit —It’s expressed in how well you heal.Michelle played a massive role in teaching me that.She loves people with a strength that doesn’t need volume.She loves through consistency.Through compassion.Through discernment.Through endurance — even when she’s hurting, exhausted, or carrying more than anyone realizes.Her love isn’t flashy — but it is formational.And God used her as a mirror to show me the kind of love Jesus was calling me into:A love that costs something.A love that transforms the giver as much as the receiver.A love that doesn’t run from brokenness — it leans in with grace.🛠️ LIVING APPLICATIONIf you want to love one another well:* Listen before reacting.Most conflict dies in the presence of understanding.* Pray for the person you struggle with.Prayer softens the heart faster than offense hardens it.* Assume the best, not the worst.Suspicion destroys community.* Lead with empathy.Remember: you don’t know the battles they’re fighting.* Love like Jesus — not like culture.Culture loves conditionally.Jesus loves sacrificially.📅 DAILY ACTIONReach out to one person today with a message of encouragement or appreciation.Love grows where intentionality lives.🏋️ PRACTICEAsk God:“Who needs Your love through me today?”Write the name down. Follow through.⚔️ CHALLENGE OF THE WEEKDeclare this:“I will love like Jesus — even when it costs me something.”🙏 PRAYERFather, teach me to love with Your heart, not my emotions.Break pride, soften my spirit, and renew my compassion.Help me love the people around me with grace, patience, and humility.Let my life show the world what Jesus looks like.Fill me with love that heals, restores, and unites.In Jesus’ name — amen.⚡ Let’s Get To Work.Thanks for reading My Reasons To Believe! This post is public so feel free to share it.My Reasons To Believe is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit myr2b.substack.com/subscribe