Love in Discipleship
Love – it's the heartbeat of discipleship, the driving force behind every act of service, kindness, and compassion. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody the same selfless love that He demonstrated through His life, death, and resurrection.
In 1 John 4:7-8 (NKJV), we read, "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love." Here, the apostle John reveals the profound truth that love originates from God Himself, and to truly know God is to experience and express His love in our lives.
Jesus Himself exemplified the essence of love in His ministry. In John 13:34-35 (NKJV), He commands His disciples, saying, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples if you have love for one another." This radical love, characterized by sacrificial giving and unconditional acceptance, is what sets apart the followers of Christ.
Love isn't merely an emotion or sentiment; it's a conscious choice to prioritize the well-being and needs of others above our own. Philippians 2:3-4 (NKJV) exhorts us, "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests but also for the interests of others." This selfless attitude mirrors the love that Christ has for us and compels us to extend that same love to those around us.
In the context of discipleship, love serves as a unifying force that binds believers together in fellowship and community. Romans 12:10 (NKJV) encourages us to "Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another." Through acts of kindness, forgiveness, and compassion, we reflect the transformative power of God's love in our relationships with one another.
As disciples, let us embrace the challenge of love, recognizing it not only as a commandment but as the very essence of our identity in Christ. May our lives be characterized by a love that knows no bounds, reaching out to the lost, the broken, and the marginalized with the transformative message of God's love and grace.
Join me in the next article, where we'll explore the virtue of humility in discipleship and its profound impact on our journey of faith.