You are commanded to love - All The Word for Today Daily Devotionals for 2026

The Word for Today - Monday, March 3, 2025
by Bob and Debby Gass

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You are commanded to love

‘A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another;’ John 13:34 NKJV

Love is not an emotion, because you cannot command someone to feel a certain way. Loving someone is a choice that manifests itself in your attitudes and actions towards that person. Jesus said, ‘“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”’ (John 13:34-35 NKJV). Jesus called this a new commandment. What’s new about it? These words: ‘… as I have loved you, …’

Since Christ lives in you, you can love others with His love. Jesus always put His disciples first—washing their feet, saving them from storms, patiently teaching them. He didn’t look out for number one; He looked out for the twelve. You say, ‘But how can I love someone I don’t even like?’ Jesus answers, ‘As I have loved you.’ C.S. Lewis tells of how he came to view others’ faults differently: ‘There is someone I love, even though I don’t approve of what he does. There is someone I accept, though some of his thoughts and actions revolt me. There is someone I forgive, though he hurts the people I love the most. That person is me … If I can love myself without approving of all I do, I can also love others without approving of all they do.’ And what Jesus commands you to do, He empowers you to do: ‘Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us’ (Romans 5:5 NKJV).

SoulFood: Exo 25-27 Luke 13:18-35 Ps 136 Pro 6:30-35

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