10 Ways to Love Like Jesus Does

What would Jesus do? It’s a perennial question regarding life. Jesus would love. It is as basic and as simple as that. But what are the nuances of Jesus’ love? Grace is so far from the concept of sin that grace covers over every blot in the book of life for the sinner who runs home to God.

Jesus paid humanity’s price,
He took full penalty for our sin,
The fullness of grace to suffice,
All because of Him.

Listen without interrupting (Proverbs 18:2, 13) – it is such a shame to the one who answers before listening. Their self-interest is exposed in their opinion. We must know that Jesus always sought to understand situations prior to speaking, and his understanding was remarkable in his responding through parables.

Speak without accusing (James 1:19) – when we are “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry” life always works out better. But our sinful nature rages in pride at the very time God is trying to show us a new thing. For the amount of haranguing and constant jostling Jesus was subject to he gave a great account of testimony for being “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry,” per the character of God.

Give without sparing (Proverbs 21:26) – the only real satisfaction in life is to give away what we cannot keep in order to keep what we cannot ever lose. As we give up our rights, possession and association to material things we receive spiritual things in abundance. Jesus taught this in Mark 8:35; 9:35; and, 10:44-45.

Pray without ceasing (Colossians 1:9) – similar in effect to 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (“pray continually”). Jesus was in constant communion with the Father, and this is exactly what we are to aspire to.

Answer without arguing (Proverbs 17:1) – how peaceful a home can be when we just let vicious comments sit; to not react, but to come back to them, in the cool light of day is wisdom. Sometimes no verbal answer is the best answer at all – especially when emotions are rapidly trending south. Jesus was always able to consider carefully his responses to all relational situations.

Speak truth without hurting others (Ephesians 4:15) – every word Jesus ever uttered was truth spoken through grace, even if some of what he said was hard to hear. We have the same opportunity – to find the balance between reality and emotion, catering to both, equally, at the same time.

Enjoy without complaint (Philippians 2:14) – as a friend once posted, “Complaint is evidence of blessing.” Everything we complain about is something that was once given to us. But Jesus had nothing and became nothing so we could be reunited to the Father.

Trust without wavering (1 Corinthians 13:7) – love protects, it trusts, it hopes, and it perseveres. Love never fails. Trust is based in love. Jesus never gave up on the hope of love and it endures today as much as ever in history.

Forgive without punishing (Colossians 3:13) – though we will occasionally want to punish those who transgress us, we are reminded of the example of Jesus who forgave those who killed him when he said, “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.”

Promise without forgetting (Proverbs 13:12) – I’ve been guilty, even in this present stage of life, of promising more than I could fulfil. Missing the mark like this, as I’ve found out, makes the heart of the person I’ve missed ‘sick’. They felt disrespected, even disregarded. I had to repent. Jesus, however, not only kept all his promises, he made better from some of those promises than people expected. That’s our task. To surprise people by how well we follow through.

© 2014 S. J. Wickham.