Dave’s Monday Blast – August 4, 2025

Over the last several weeks we have been discussing what it means to love others like He loves us. Following the command from Jesus found in John 13:34, we learned four aspects of defining this kind of love: Character; Source; Standard; and Expression. While unpacking these we learned that “this love” is sacrificial, selfless, and forgiving. It does not come naturally, but the Spirit of God and the example of Christ’s sacrifice provides us with all we need to “get the job done”.

InTouch comments: “But even though God gives us the supernatural ability to love, we play a role in the process. We must practice loving one another and seek to excel at it even more by His grace (1 Thessalonians 4:9 – 10). We’ll never reach the point of perfect love for others, but we can become better at it as we let the Spirit work in and through us.”

Here is how we practice:

1. With Christlike Character: Love begins with a changed heart. We must cooperate with the Spirit’s transforming work (Colossians 3:12).
2. With Christlke Behavior: Men of INTENTION are familiar with the 1 Corinthians 13 passage, but we must consider what it requires of us.
3. With Christlike Sacrifice: Since Jesus’ death on the cross was the supreme example of His love for us, we too must be willing to lay down our life for others (1 John 3:16). Intouch comments: “Although some Christians have literally died for fellow believers, our sacrifices are generally a matter of giving ourselves in service for others, spending precious time to help them, or simply denying ourselves and our desires in order to do what is best for someone else (Philippians 2:3 – 5).”

Loving like Christ is a tall order, but we have a mighty God who is at work in us to make it possible!