1 John 4:19, New Living Translation

“We love each other because he loved us first.”

It is the beginning of a new year and many of us are making new year’s resolutions or goals for the year. My goal? To get even closer to the Lord. In His presence is fullness of joy. But also, when I am with Him, He makes me into a better version of me, which benefits not just myself, but everyone around me. This year, I want to love better. If I do not receive love from my Heavenly Father, how could I possibly give love? 1 John 4:19 (NLT) says, "We love each other because he loved us first."  

To start, the choice lies within John 3:16 (NLT), “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” If you have not already chosen Jesus, then I would ask you to consider choosing Jesus. He is the only one who gave His life for you, spilling His very own life blood for you, so that you could have eternal life. After making the choice for Jesus, we must then continue in action and follow Him. Many people believe that once you become a Christian, that life is "easy." Really, it becomes more difficult. The pressure is on because you no longer conform to the patterns of the world, but you live a life that is righteous and holy. We were created to be set apart from the world, not to blend in.  

Allowing Jesus into our heart is the best decision we could ever make. He, ultimately, makes us a better version of ourselves. By allowing Him to make the changes necessary, we see from perspectives we never saw from before. We grow and we learn from the challenges we overcome, which in turn makes us stronger and wiser. But we must not let this puff us up. Philippians 4:13 (NLT) says, "For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength." It is in our weaknesses that He shows Himself strong. It is in our imperfections that He comes through perfect and perfectly!  

There have been some things in the past few years of my life that I let them intimidate me. But learning to surrender and to trust Him and allowing Him to do a deep work in me, I believe has brought change, a better me, and empowered me to love like I never have before. This really is a beautiful gift, because without Jesus, none of this would be happening. It's also beautiful because it is Christ coming through, not me. I know that He wants to do this in each one of us. We are told to let our light shine before men so that our Father would receive glory. That is my hope and prayer, that people will know that they are loved and that they see and experience Jesus in me.

This year, I think our goal should be to love God and to love people. Not just love them but really love them and do it well. In turn, that means receiving love from our Father, so that we can love really well the people that God has placed in our lives. If we love well, imagine the impact that could have? The Bible tells us not to return evil for evil but return evil with good. God can do beautiful things through the good and the love that we show others. It may be challenging at times, but by laying our flesh down and picking up our cross, by choosing Jesus and His ways, we can make a difference in the world and people will come to know the hope and love of Jesus...the true hope and love of Jesus.  

One of my favorite scriptures comes to mind that says, “Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.^” (Romans 12:9-11, NLT) I know that this can be challenging at times. There are going to be people that make it difficult to love them, but with the Lord's help, pray and ask Him for help, it can be done. I know, because I have been there and experienced it firsthand! Open your heart to Him, because perhaps there is work that needs done in you, and with that work done, you will be able to love genuinely. Perhaps even meditating on the scripture just mentioned would give you help and of course listening for the Lord's direction as you meditate on His word.  

As we begin this new year together, let us be encouraged to love like Jesus and watch the beautiful things that unfold from the love of Jesus in our lives and the lives of others.