People Matter Daily Devotional: September 11

A Word From God’s Word
My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. John 15:12 (NIV)

A Word From Jen Weber
Today is September 11. Does this command work for you today? Do you love the terrorists that brought fear, mistrust, grief, shock, horror and anger to our shores? But, Jesus’ command is that we love each other as He loved us. We fall short, as we always will, of Jesus’ perfection. So how can we possibly live up to this command?

I used to have the hardest time with this command until I learned a new word for love from Sue’s first leadership class. Agape. It’s not about the emotional love that so many people think it is. This word brought me a new understanding and hope. Such a simple word but it was so impactful because I could strive to achieve this love and work at Jesus’ command.

The Greeks used the word agape to describe “a more unconditional love rooted in the behavior toward others without regard to their due. It is the love of deliberate choice.” (The Servant: A Simple Story About the True Essence of Leadership by James C. Hunter) I cannot always control my feelings towards others but I can keep them inside and still treat people with agape love. Basic human decency towards man, whether we judge them to be deserving or not, is obtainable if we follow our Christian principles. Since we always have free will to make choices in our lives, we can choose agape love for all, and this is the precise word that Jesus uses in His commandment. He doesn’t expect us to have loving feelings towards everyone. It’s not possible to do but we can all choose to treat others with respect. The Love Chapter in 1 Corinthians 13 talks about love. It’s all action words, not emotion. By choosing agape, we can strive to achieve Jesus’ command.

Jen Weber is the Child Care Team Leader & Co-Leader of Girlfriends.

A Word With God
Dear Jesus, help me to love by my actions today, not just my emotions. Amen.