Loving People

Love each other.
-John 13:34, 15:12 & 17, 1 Peter 1:22 & 3:8, 1 John 3:18; 4:11, 12 & 19

I had this experience at the church meeting where God was sharing with me how he loves the people.  I know and we know that God loves us and all the people, but this was an experience of God's particular love for each one.

I sensed God looking at various people and loving them.  I got the impression that God was gazing with love on this person and then that person and was sharing his loving heart for them with me.  I kind of realized that God was imparting his love for his people to me as well.  He was like a proud papa.

When Jesus told his first disciples to love each other, he said that the love they had for each other, would be proof to the world that they were his disciples.  In my Christian life, I have mainly participated in going vertical, to God, alone or with others.  I know something about worship and prayer.

I also spent a lot of energy in going vertical to know about God.  I also know something about listening to people and praying for them.  I know something about fellowship and discipleship.

But Jesus did not say that anything but love would be the mark that we are his followers.  We can have the best worship or the best teaching, but those are not the sign of Jesus.  Loving people is his calling card.

I think God is teaching me about the love. His love, and my loving his people.  We need to love and be loved.  Being right or being articulate is not the mark of Jesus.  Being loving and being loved is.

When I felt God's love, it was like the love of a father for his kids.  There is concern, but there is so much grace and affection.  I felt like God let me look through his heart and it was like he was saying that he wants me to love with his heart.  I felt God's invitation to love people and I will follow.