Last week I wrote Happy Mother’s Day – for those who aren’t so happy about it. Later, I thought about what my mother said when we asked her what she wanted as a present for her birthday or Mother’s Day. Her answer was always the same: “I just want you to be nice to one another.”
Mum wanted her children to get on with each other. I’m not sure if she ever got her wish completely. I don’t know why I used to fight with my siblings when we were younger. Maybe it was because we were competing for attention.
I clearly remember one occasion when my sister and I were arguing in the lounge room, where Dad was lying on the couch. I think we wanted him to intervene, but all he said was, “Go outside and fight.” We stopped immediately. What was the point?
Love One Another
Like my mother, God, our heavenly father, also says that He wants us to be nice to one another. Here are 100 verses telling us just that: 100 Bible verses commanding us to love one another.
Like my father, we aren’t going to get’s God’s approval by fighting with each other.
A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
John 13:24
Love Your Enemies
OK. God wants us to love one another. Maybe I can do that. Sometimes. It’s easy to love the nice people; the ones that agree with us; the ones that look like us; the ones that do what I want them to do; ones that are loveable.
Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.
Luke 6:27
Now, isn’t that a bit much? To love my enemies! That’s not easy. I wonder if it’s even possible.
I Want Revenge
They’ve hurt me too much. I just want to give them what they deserve. They don’t deserve good from me. I want revenge.
Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.
Romans 12:19
Does God Even Know the Trouble I’ve Seen?
But God, don’t you know how much W has hurt me? Don’t you know how X hounds me, constantly pressing my buttons and causing me trouble? Y has bad-mouthed me in public, and even taken me to court. Z wants me pay for something I didn’t do. Do you know what it’s like to be hurt so badly? Do you know what it’s like to be hurt by the ones you love?
Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus’ closest disciples, handed Him over to the authorities for thirty pieces of silver. Despite the pain of being betrayed by someone so close, Jesus responded calmly, referring to Judas as “friend” even as he betrayed Him.
Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him. Jesus replied, ‘Do what you came for, friend.’ Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus and arrested him.
Matthew 26:48-50
Jesus knows firsthand all about pain, suffering and rejection:
He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces He was despised, and we held Him in low esteem.
Isaiah 53:3
Jesus died an excruciatingly painful death when He was crucified. It makes you wonder why, doesn’t it? Those for whom Jesus died, must have been pretty special people. They must have been worthy of this great sacrifice, mustn’t they?
Jesus Died for You!
Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Ephesians 5:2b
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 53:5
Jesus died for you thousands of years before you were even born! Not because you were so good-looking, or strong, or clever, or hard-working, or worthy. Jesus died for you – a sinner, God’s enemy!
For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
Romans 5:10
On the cross, Jesus took all our punishment. He took everything we deserved. We deserved the punishment of hell. But Jesus went to hell instead of us. Because He loves us.
God Loves You!
God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8
I am overwhelmed when I think of all that Jesus gave up for me. Not because I deserved it, but because He loves me.
It’s only now, as an adult, and a parent myself, that I realise the extent of my parents’ love and sacrifice for me. They did it because they loved me, not because I was the perfect child (even though at times I may have thought that I was perfect).
Be Nice to One Another
Mum wanted us to be nice to one another. She still does. God says He wants us to love one another, even our enemies. He knows it’s not easy. It’s humanly impossible. We can’t even love our friends, let alone our enemies, in the way that God loved us. We are commanded to forgive one another. It’s only when we realise how much God loved us, and how much we’ve been forgiven, that we are enabled to forgive others.
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Colossians 3:13
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Ephesians 4:32
Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
John 13:14-15
I don’t have to compete with other people for God’s love. He has more than enough to go around. God has showered me with His love and forgiveness. Now He wants me to share His love with other people.
Prayer:
Dear God,
I am overawed when I realize the extent of your love for me. On the cross, you looked at Jesus, and saw all MY sins. Now, when you look at me, you see Jesus. Thank you for your eternal love for me.
You said that your love is for all people. Help me to share your love with others, so that they too may be rescued from unbelief and sin.
Forgive me when I am silent in the face of evil, and when I neglect to tell others about you. Forgive me for worrying more about what they might think of me, and being afraid of their reaction.
Fill me with your love, so that I can love even my enemies, regardless of what they may think of me. Remind me that it’s all about you, and not about me.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
This song is called Love one Another, by Robin Mann