Love One Another...

In John 13:34 we are given the command to "love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another." I want to make sure I point out 2 things about this verse...1) It is Jesus speaking (very important).....and 2) Jesus starts off with the words "A new command I give to you". Jesus does not say "I have a suggestion for you". He makes it very clear that He is telling us how it should be. Any time that Jesus, the Son of God, is telling us how something should be, we should take heart in every word that He is speaking. I'm not really sure we give it enough thought when we read a verse like this....that the Son of God is saying this is how you should treat others, no exception! He says, the way I treat you...you treat them. It's that simple! When I mess up, Jesus loves me through it. When I'm having a bad day, Jesus loves me through it. When I hurt Him, Jesus loves me through it. And yes, even in the times of my life where I completely let Him down, Jesus loved me through it.
If there are people in your life that you know you are not treating the way Jesus would treat you then maybe today is the day you can start. Sure, it may not be easy. Yes, it may require humbling yourself some. And yes, there will be fear that the other person will not react the way you hoped they might. But if we are living according to God's will for our life, then we are not doing it for them, we are doing it for Him. And when we do things for Him, He has a miraculous way of making it work out for everyone. That is the beauty of God's ways...they are meant to be above ours, and the results of doing things His way goes above our understanding.
God, please help me to love others, treat others and think of others the way you would have me to. You forgive me and hold nothing against me. If I am truly trying to be Christlike, then give me your supernatural strength to be able to be this way with even the most difficult people in my life. Thank you for the promise in Your Word that "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me". (Philippians 4:13) As I walk in this command I will rely on you for the strength I need and leave the rest up to you. Help me to not be a person who reacts based on circumstances, but instead reacts based on Your Word and your examples.