Following Jesus Means Loving Everyone

If we’re honest, loving everybody sounds beautiful -- until we meet everybody.

Love the kind. Sure.
Love the grateful. Of course.
But love the ones who mock faith, roll their eyes at truth, or treat believers with open hostility? Lord, are You sure You didn’t mean most people?

And then -- quiet as a whisper -- I imagine God saying:
“Loving others means accepting them completely, loving them unconditionally, forgiving them totally, and seeing them as extremely valuable -- whether you like them or not.”

That’s not a suggestion. It’s a command. And, it sure doesn't make sense when we see the outrage and ugliness in our world!

But, Jesus didn’t leave loopholes when He said,
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” (John 13:34)

That kind of love doesn’t come naturally. It comes supernaturally.

1 Corinthians 13:7 says: "Love never stops being patient, never stops believing, never stops hoping, never gives up.” (1 Corinthians 13:7)

That’s how God loves us. On our best days -- and especially on our worst. He doesn’t sigh and say, “I’m done.” He leans in and says, “I’m still here.”

Love never stops being patient. It gives grace when patience runs thin.
Love never stops believing. It keeps faith when others disappoint us.
Love never stops hoping. It expects the best, even when history suggests otherwise.
Love never gives up. It endures when walking away would be easier.

This kind of love transforms relationships -- not because people suddenly change, but because we do.

So if what you see on the evening news seems reckless and hateful -- maybe the prayer isn’t “Lord, fix them,” but “Lord, change me.”

Because when fear loosens its grip, love finds room to grow.
When grace leads, walls fall.
And when Jesus sets the standard, love becomes our loudest witness.

Loving everyone may feel impossible -- until we remember: we’re not loving alone. We’re loving with Him.
And that makes all the difference.