How can I love others better?

Choosing to love is difficult. Yet, as believers we can be a people who choose to brave the challenging path of love every single day. 

The Greatest Act of Mercy - Christ forgiving us

In the days leading up to His crucifixion, Jesus would sit at a table during the last supper knowing that Judas would betray Him and Peter would deny Him, not once but three times? He would journey to the cross knowing that the very crowds of people who once welcomed His triumphant entry on Palm Sunday would turn against Him. In spite of all of this, beads of bloody sweat dripping from His face, it was love that compelled Him to accept the cup of suffering in the garden of Gethsemane as the very disciples He had asked to keep watch and pray for Him would fall into a slumber…

It was love that compelled Him to stay nailed to a tree on that terrible day in calvary. Jesus would look over the crowd unrelenting as they hurled torrents of insults at Him but still He would see people worthy to die for. Luke 23: 34 records Jesus uttering these words on the cross  ‘Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing’. 

What greater love than this? Jesus would shed His life for our sins, a pardon that we were so undeserving to obtain but was so freely given - displaying the greatest act of mercy. 

You Can Love Others Too. Remember How He First Loved You?

‘For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins’  Matthew 6:14

Yes, the journey of love is a difficult feat and you may have experienced pain or hurt and carry wounds deepest kind but when we choose to forgive others or to extend grace we testify that we truly know God. We testify that we have come to know and have been touched by the love of God. We testify that we understand that we have been forgiven. If we understand we have been forgiven we can forgive others. 

Forgiveness is not just the hallmark of a believer who has been touched by the great act of mercy displayed on the Cross; forgiveness is also for our own good. When we choose to forgive and remove resentment we are also choosing to free ourselves from a self-imposed prison sentence. Think about it… If Joseph had not forgiven his brothers who sold him into slavery, even though he was now in the palace, resentment and unforgiveness would have kept him bound to living in his past. 

Walking in love and choosing to walk the path of  forgiveness is difficult but you must free yourself and others from the shackles of unforgiveness. Be encouraged on the days where it seems too hard to forgive. Be encouraged on the days where it seems too hard to forgive yourself. Rely on the strength of the Holy Spirit. Look to the cross and remember what He did for us. Though difficult, you can extend that olive branch, you can be one who is capable of forgiveness. You can love others, because He first loved you.

The freeing power of forgiveness

As we reflect on Jesus' ultimate act of mercy on the cross, we're reminded of the profound power of forgiveness. Despite the betrayal and mockery He faced, His love endured, and he pleaded for forgiveness for those who persecuted Him. Just as Jesus forgave, we're called to extend forgiveness to others, freeing ourselves from resentment. Let's draw strength from His sacrifice and rely on the Holy Spirit as we journey toward forgiveness. By loving others as He loved us, we testify to the transformative power of His mercy and find healing in extending grace.