a new commandment i give to you, that you love one another: just as i have loved you, you also are to love one another. by this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. [john 13:34-35]
what are you putting energy into that isn’t loving one another?
come to me, all you who are heavy laden, and h will give you rest. take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for i am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
[matthew 11:28-30]
love, love like Jesus gave, is what it means to be a disciple. legalism tries to make us work really hard to get results in our own strength, but the gospel says results will come in proportion to God’s strength. do you see how this truth is supposed to free us? love your neighbor and trust in God! serve selflessly and wait upon the Lord! love will be messy, and it always comes at a cost, but that is the burden God built us for! Jesus’ yoke of love is the only one we are able to bear. the burden of loving our neighbor is the suffering we are called to enter into with Christ! he has gone before, and he will be faithful to help us endure.
~ stephen hall