Let's start with a couple verses from the Bible:

 

1 John 4:19: We love because he first loved us.

 

1 John 4:10: This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

 

John 13:34-35: “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.”

 

1 John 4:12: No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

​

1 John 4:7:  Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.

 

The greatest commandment is to Love God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And by loving our neighbors we are both doing that and obeying the second commandment: to Love others as we Love ourselves.

 

Genesis chapter 1 says you are an image barer of God made in his likeness. You literally reflect the glory of God without even trying because God fashioned and designed you for that purpose.

 

This, of course, requires you to have a focus on being more like Jesus and pursuing a life like Jesus, but it doesn't put any pressure on us to perform because God uses us even in our brokenness to deliver his message of Unconditional Love. We aren't perfect, but with a heart after God we are filled with the Holy Spirit and that's what transforms us.

 

Ephesians says you are designed to wage war with your God given armor, to push back darkness. 

 

Matthew chapter 5 says you are the light of the world. You shine out into our society. You shine here on this campus, at work, at home and everywhere else, in order to push back darkness. That’s what you were designed for.

 

2 Corinthians chapter 3 says you are a competent minister of the gospel, not because of anything you have done or will do, but rather because you are indwelled by the Holy Spirit of God. You are a competent minister of the Gospel. You don’t give up and you are bold because Jesus’ Love is compelling you. 

 

Colossians says you are saved, literally set apart (holy). You have a holy calling in your life, that in Romans it says is irrevocable. No One can take that from us!

 

2nd Timothy says everything you need for life and godliness, you’ve got it. It has already been given to you and belongs to you. 

 

Ephesians says that every spiritual blessing on earth and in heaven is given to you in the name of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit. 

 

We as Christians have been sealed with the Holy Spirit, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead! And that same power lives within us. 

 

So because of this, there is no way in which we can ever come to God and say: “How am I to honor the 1st and 2nd commandment? I have nothing to offer.”

 

This is not true because the Holy Spirit lives within us, gives us that Holy power and desire to love others, and gives each of us a spiritual gift that we can use daily to Love onto others. The Holy Spirit works through us, even our imperfections, because again, it's not about what "we do" but rather about what "God does." And if we truly believe God is all powerful then we know with confidence that he can use anyone to share his message.

 

Think about the sacredness of your identity. The holiness of your calling. And your set-apartness for this time, right now, wherever you are. The world has never needed you more. Your unrivaled place on this planet is waiting for you to step up and live up to the greatest commandment. If you're a follower of Christ, have given your life to God, and have been saved then you are able to and well equipped to follow through on the 1st and 2nd greatest commandments. 

 

There are no promises that it will be easy. You won't be able to do it alone. You will need relationships. You will need the Holy Spirit, and a community of other followers. But all of these things you need God has already provided. So get out there and start doing something!!

 

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 explains to us exactly what Love looks like. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails."

 

This is WHY and HOW we have the ability and duty to Love others daily. God placed you in your environment with a purpose tailored to the sacredness of your identity. So go forth with confidence and reassurance in the fact that you are an image barer of Jesus and do his work of Loving others. 

 

We have never needed you more than ever in this fallen and broken world. A world that is not getting any better in any way, except through steadfast followers of Jesus Christ like yourself. Go forth now and make disciples of all nations by demonstrating God’s Love to anyone and everyone for the book of James emphasizes that there shall be no favoritism or different treatment for anyone based on any circumstances. 

 

And 1 John 2:6 says: “Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did,” a selfless life of servitude. Today, and every day is your opportunity to do so by loving your neighbor (also your enemy) in any way, big or small. 

 

Much of, but not all, of what has been said above has come from Kat Armstrong’s message of Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength give at Breakaway Ministries on February 14, 2017. Listen to the full message here

 

Agape is something we should strive for but will never achieve alone. We should want to strive to get as close as possible to agape, unconditional love, and the way to get the closest possible to agape is with the help of the Holy Spirit.

 

We live out of love now because God first loved us so much, enough to sacrifice his son on the cross for us.

 

The distinguishing feature of a Christian should be how we unconditionally love others. No matter who they are, where you are, or what you're doing.

 

1 Timothy 1:15-16: Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life

 

In other words, "thus, go forth and Love everyone unconditionally because that is how God Loves you." 

 

1 John 4:19: We love because he first loved us.

 

And keep in mind, Everyone you know is fighting a battle you know nothing about. So be loving to them no matter how things appear.

 

 

One Last word of encouragement:

1 Corinthians 16:13-14: Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.

​