The Hardest Command We’re Called to Follow
Loving others the way Christ loves us is one of the hardest things we are called to do. It sounds beautiful in theory—grace, forgiveness, and unconditional love—but when we face betrayal, rejection, or indifference, it becomes a struggle that tests our faith and character. How do we love when it hurts? How do we forgive when it feels impossible? And why does this kind of love matter in the first place?
Jesus didn’t just suggest that we love this way; He commanded it. In John 13:34-35, He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
This command is at the heart of what it means to be a follower of Christ. But as I’ve discovered, this journey toward Christ-like love is one of daily surrender, self-awareness, and grace. Today, I’ll share my reflections, challenges, and practical insights on how we can live out this calling.
The High Calling of Christ-like Love
To love like Christ means to extend grace and forgiveness to those who may hurt us or sin against us. It’s a high standard, one that often feels beyond our reach. Ephesians 4:32 reminds us, “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
That level of forgiveness is hard. There are moments when I feel justified in withholding it, especially when love isn’t reciprocated or when someone wounds me deeply. But then I remember how God loves us—freely, sacrificially, and endlessly. He gave His Son as a sacrifice for people who didn’t deserve it. When Jesus told us to forgive “seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22), He wasn’t offering a mathematical limit but a call to radical, boundless grace.
I often ask myself, “How can I love like this when my heart feels heavy?” But God’s love isn’t something we produce on our own—it flows through us when we abide in Him.
Recognizing Christ’s Love in Unexpected Places
Looking back, I realize there have been moments in my life where I’ve experienced Christ-like love through others, even when I didn’t fully recognize it at the time. One of the most profound experiences occurred when I moved to the Philippines for work. I found myself in an unfamiliar place, overwhelmed and unsure of what to expect. But a Christian friend, whom I had barely met, saw my need and stepped in to help without asking for anything in return. I remember feeling both humbled and conflicted—I felt like I owed them something, but they simply reflected Christ’s love through their selfless act.
Mother Teresa once said, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” Those small acts—kindness, a prayer, a helping hand—can be more transformative than we realize. Reflecting on this moment, I realize that I may have experienced Christ’s love many times without noticing. Sometimes, God works quietly through others, in ways that we only recognize when we pause and reflect.
The Biggest Barrier: Overcoming Self
The biggest obstacle to loving others the way Christ loves isn’t external—it’s internal. My selfish nature often gets in the way, making it difficult to put others first. Christ’s love is selfless and centered on others’ needs, but my natural inclination is to focus on my own comfort, desires, and feelings. Philippians 2:3-4 challenges this mindset: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others.”
This is a daily battle. But recognizing the barrier is the first step to overcoming it. I’ve learned that when I feel the tug of selfishness, it’s an opportunity to pause, pray, and ask God to redirect my heart. Over time, this practice has helped me grow in awareness and humility, though I know it’s a lifelong journey.
The Transformative Power of Love
Christ’s love is transformative because it doesn’t just change those who receive it—it changes the giver. When we act with kindness, compassion, and grace, it softens our hearts and aligns us with God’s will. Relationships improve, wounds begin to heal, and even the hardest of hearts can be touched. Here are five soul insights I’ve gained about the power of Christ-like love:
Soul Insights
1. Love is an action, not just an emotion.
Feelings can be fleeting, but love rooted in Christ is a deliberate choice. It means choosing to forgive, to serve, and to be patient even when it’s inconvenient. Small acts of love, like listening or praying for someone, can have lasting impact.
2. Love reflects God’s grace.
When we extend grace to others, we reflect the grace God continually pours into our lives. This reminds me that loving others isn’t about their worthiness but about responding to God’s call.
3. Forgiveness frees both the giver and the receiver.
Holding onto resentment only weighs us down. Forgiving someone doesn’t excuse their behavior, but it sets us free from the burden of bitterness.
4. Love transforms relationships.
When we prioritize others’ needs alongside our own, relationships become places of growth and healing. Love fosters trust, empathy, and understanding.
5. Love requires divine strength.
We can’t love like Christ through willpower alone. We need to abide in Him and draw from His strength, trusting that the Holy Spirit will guide us in moments of weakness.
Practical Steps for Living Out Christ-like Love
This week, I’m focusing on simple, intentional actions to love others:
• Prayer: I’m collecting prayer requests from those around me and lifting them up to God, knowing that prayer is one of the most powerful ways to love.
• Kindness: I’ll look for opportunities to encourage or help someone, even if it’s just through a kind word or small gesture.
• Grace: I’ll practice extending grace when someone offends me, remembering that I, too, have received grace countless times.
• Action: As 1 John 3:18 says, “Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” I’ll focus on showing love through action, not just intention.
These actions may seem small, but they carry the potential for transformation.
Final Thoughts: Love is a Lifelong Journey
Loving others as Christ does is a lifelong journey, filled with successes, failures, and growth. It requires humility, patience, and grace, but it also brings deep fulfillment and spiritual maturity. As C.S. Lewis wrote, “To love at all is to be vulnerable.” And it’s true—loving like Christ means opening ourselves up to vulnerability, but in that vulnerability, we find strength in Him.
Encouragement for When Love Feels Hard
When it feels hard, I remind myself that God doesn’t expect perfection. He simply asks for a willing heart and the humility to lean on Him when we fall short. Every small act of love, every prayer, and every moment of grace brings us one step closer to reflecting the love that Christ poured out for us.
How will you practice Christ-like love this week? I’d love to hear your thoughts or prayer requests. Let’s grow together in this beautiful, challenging journey.
Soul Path Insights 
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