When people asked Jesus what the greatest commandment was, he said,
John 15:12-13, 17 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. This is my command: Love each other.
Christians Should Be Famous for How They Love
This should be our reputation. But loving others can be hard to do. Many of us get caught up in counting other people’s sins against them while forgetting our own faults. In the Christian community, we fight against each other about the form of religion or over hot button issues, and forget that our passion should be about sharing the love of Jesus with the world. If we’re going to be known for the way we love, we have to; let go of offenses, be okay with getting less than we give, and treating people with respect even though they disrespect us. It means learning to love as Jesus has loved us.
This is the kind of love Jesus has for us. He sacrificed his life for us to save us. He took on our sin and shame to heal us, He chooses to forgive us even when we make the same mistakes over and over. And, if we can love like Jesus, we will drastically change how we interface with the world.
Love Has the Power to Change the World
Jesus’ love for us is the true world changer. Because of his sacrifice, we can go from death to life, slave to free. But even as Christians, the way we love can help to change a person’s life. Reaching out to a lonely person, serving people in crisis, and sharing kind and encouraging words can make a huge impact in a person’s life. We can be the tangible love of Jesus to hurting people by how we love. And here’s the truth, when we love like Jesus loves, we will experience joy. Joy is another fruit of the Holy Spirit that needs to grow out of us.
Joy Isn’t a Mood But a Confident Attitude
Joy is more significant than just being in a good mood. It’s a confident attitude that exudes from us no matter the good or bad. Joy is deeper and more steadfast than just being happy.
James 1:2-3 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.
True Joy Requires an Eternal Perspective
Joy has an eternal perspective, not a temporary one. So, when the trials come, a joyful person can see it in light of eternity. This has to be what Jesus was thinking when he faced the cross.
Hebrews 12:2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
His joy wasn’t about feeling good that he had to suffer and die for us. His joy came from understanding how his temporary pain changed the world for all eternity. His death meant life for us. His pain meant healing for our sinful condition. He could endure the trial knowing that it was brief in light of forever. He understood the greater purpose and it was worth the pain. This can be true for us as well..That same joy that Jesus had, we can have if we let the Spirit grow it in us. No matter what life brings, we can choose joy and remember that we belong to Jesus and our future is in heaven.
Discussion Questions:
- Watch the video together or invite someone to summarize the topic.
- What is your initial reaction to this video? Do you disagree with any of it? What jumped out at you?
- Describe a person that would be easy for you to love. Describe a person that would be hard for you to love.
- Read John 15:12-13,17. Why do you think Jesus had to make it a commandment that we love others? Why is it so hard for us to be loving?
- Why does true love require a sacrificial attitude? How can Christians improve in the way we show love to the world?
- On a scale from 1-10, how joyful of a person do you think you are? What tends to get you down and robs you of joy?
- James 1:2-3. Why is perspective important when it comes to understanding joy? How has a trial in your life helped you to grow as a person?
- Read Hebrews 12:2. What was Jesus’ focus during his suffering? How can the hope of heaven help you to endure the trials of this life?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
Adpated from the book The Fruit of the Spirit: Becoming The Person God Wants You to Be by Thomas Trask and Wayde Goodall.
