Loving God

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

John 21:15-17 (NIV)

Jesus questions Peter’s love for him by asking him three times whether Peter loves him, then Jesus gives Peter instructions as to how he should act towards God’s people.

Has God been so good to you that you wonder what you can do to say thank you?

Well, I have some great news for you! We can show our appreciation of God’s goodness and faithfulness by demonstrating our love for God in the way we treat people. Our actions towards unbelievers, and especially our service towards the Saints in the body of Christ are ways to “thank you” to God.

After all, Jesus said the greatest commandment is to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and the way we can do this is by following the second greatest commandment, which is to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:36-40) 

Many people may struggle with loving themselves the right way, so in this case, we must first grow in love with God so we can love our neighbors as Christ loves us. 

As God’s image-bearers, we have the ability to love like God loves—unconditionally, without expecting anything in return, and sacrificially. 

Demonstrate your love for God today by loving others as Christ loved you. John sums it up pretty nicely in 1 John 4:20 – “He who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.”

Our love for one another is an indicator of our love for God. 

Author: Sarah Ajimobi