Love Like Jesus

Bible Reading: Romans 15:1-7

The family car swung from the curb after dropping off Mrs. Shrively. As the old woman climbed the porch steps, little Sadie waved to her.

“Whew!” said Hannah. “I’m glad Mrs. Shrively’s gone. I wish we didn’t have to give her a ride to church all the time. She drives me crazy.”

“Yeah,” echoed her brother, Ayden. “Her laugh is annoying.”

Hannah agreed. “Her hair sure looks funny—and her dresses…” Hannah giggled. “They’re as big as tents!”

“Kids!” Mom frowned into the rearview mirror. “You both know better than to talk like that—especially about a fellow Christian. Mrs. Shrively loves the Lord and is an active member of our church.”

“But she bosses me around all the time,” said Ayden. “And then she quotes Scripture to back up what she says. I wish she’d just leave me alone.”

“I like her,” declared Sadie.

“Mrs. Shrively embarrasses me in front of my friends,” complained Hannah. “She acts like I’m her special friend.”

“Did you know that God loves her?” Dad asked.

Hannah shrugged. “Sure. He loves everybody.”

“In fact,” said Mom, “God loves her just as much as He loves you kids and Dad and me—and everyone else in the whole world.”

Dad nodded. “God loves Mrs. Shrively so much that He gave the very best heaven had to offer—Jesus, His only Son—to take the punishment for her sin.”

As Hannah and Ayden sat silently thinking, Mom spoke. “Since God loves her that much, do you think you ought to criticize her like you do?”

“No,” Hannah admitted with a sigh. “I’ll just…I’ll just not say anything about her.”

Ayden nodded. “Me neither.”

“I think we can do better than that,” said Mom. “Since we’ve been changed by the love of Jesus, we can show that same love to others. And He doesn’t ignore Mrs. Shrively or put up with her—He delights in her! I’m sure He’ll help all of us find at least one good thing to say about her each week.”

“I know something already,” said Sadie. “She helped me put my coat on.”

Dad winked at her. “That’s the spirit. Let’s all trust Jesus to help us replace a bad habit of criticizing others with His love.”

-Rose Goble

How About You?

Is there someone you really have trouble liking—someone who just bugs you? Whenever you’re tempted to be critical or unkind, remember that God made that person and loves them just as much as He loves you. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die for their sins just like He died for yours. And if you trust in Jesus, He gives you the ability to show others His love. Trust Him to help you love others like He does.

Today’s Key Verse:
Romans 15:7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. (NIV)

Today’s Key Thought:

Love others as Jesus does