Jesus called on us Christians to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, but what does that mean entirely?

I believe Jesus to be saying exactly that. Love others just as you love yourself.

You must first love yourself before you can love anyone else. (See previous article about loving yourself if you are new to loving.)

Jesus showed us this unconditional, unfathomable love by dying for us on the cross. Jesus' love for us is deeper than anything our human brains can imagine.

Now, to love your neighbor as you would love yourself is not an easy task. But Jesus never said it was easy.

Jesus didn't have the easiest life either. His entire life he was thought of to be blasphemous by the religious leaders at the time and was eventually put to death on a wooden cross. Jesus' faith ran so deep. He spent so so so much time alone with God, praying.

He dedicated his life to letting us be free. Loving others with this "Christ-like love" is a hard task. It requires patience, forgiveness, compassion, and faith.

Faith is the foundation. Having faith and trusting in God's timing and his promises is difficult. But it is what is required if you are going to follow Jesus. Jesus asks you to follow him and love others just as he did.

Matthew 25:40 reads: "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me."

I don't know about you, but this is such a condemning verse for me. I find this verse to be on repeat in my head lately. I am quick to pass judgement on others before knowing their story. This verse makes me think WWJD (what would Jesus do). I think of this verse when I see a homeless person on the street corner, or I see someone having a hard time. Even something as small as being genuine and looking into someone's eyes while they are talking to you is meaningful.

Without Jesus' unconditional love, loving others in this way is not possible. God is the source of love. God is love. Without Him, love is incomplete.

John 15:13 reads: "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends".

This is one of my favorite verses because it is so beautiful. This kind of love is real love. Giving your life up so a loved one can be free shows the love that is found through Christ.

Loving others is hard, but it is also very rewarding.

I believe God places people in our lives for all different reasons. Some are lessons and some will journey through life by our side. But all are worthy of God's love and should be treated with dignity. It is such a humbling experience to see a friend who was previously lost come to Christ. There is no greater feeling than this.

"Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." -1 Corinthians 13:6-7

So love always. Even when it's hard. Even when they get an attitude with you. Even when they're rude and mean. Even when they try to bring you down. Even when they call you blasphemous. Even when they nail you to a cross.

1 Corinthians 13:8-"Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away."

Love always,

Lauren Beth.