Did you grow up learning to “love your neighbor as yourself”? I sure did! Even in Girl Scouts we were taught the “Golden Rule”, and still today in churches everywhere you hear to “love your neighbor as yourself”. So, what’s the big deal, why am I pointing this out? Well, I don’t know about you, but have you ever had a day where you weren’t feeling very loving towards yourself? I know I sure have. I’ve had days where I sure wouldn’t want someone to “love” me the way I was feeling towards myself. (Praise God, He has redeemed this and I don’t have too many days where I feel this way anymore!) Have you ever met someone, even another Believer, who doesn’t really love themselves, and you think – hmmm, not sure I want them loving me the way they love themselves… Yeah, me too…
But thank God – that’s not what we are called to do anymore! Obviously our love isn’t always the best (even as hard as we try sometimes) but good thing is that His is…
Well, that is why John 13:34 is one of my favorite scriptures these days where Jesus says: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” So, I’m sure you’re asking then why do we keep hearing so much about the other commandment to love your neighbor as yourself? This one is repeated a few times in the New Testament, but you will find when it is mentioned the Old Testament law is being referenced. The first time Jesus states the commandment, it is in response to a question regarding the old law – He is asked which is the greatest commandment. He replies to love your God and and to love your neighbor as yourself. When we read this, we must realize He is talking about the old law, the one that was around before He appeared in the flesh on the Earth scene. The other times it is mentioned in the NT the authors are still referring to the old law, the one that we aren’t supposed to try and keep (because obviously we failed pretty bad at that lol).
Jesus tells us in John 15:10 if we keep His commandments we will abide in His love as He abides in the Father’s love, and then in John 15:12 He repeats His new commandment – to love as He loves! We still won’t be perfect in our love towards others, but it can be pretty refreshing at times to realize we are supposed to love as He does. It can also be a great reminder when you’re not really sure you’re feeling lovable, that He loves you more than you can imagine, and it’s a great reminder of what He’s done for us out of that love. It can also be helpful when dealing (yes, dealing sometimes is what it is) with others and deciding if what we are doing is loving as He does, or as we are currently feeling lovable ourselves…
This artwork was inspired as I was meditating on this scripture one day. I’d say it was created through the Holy Spirit directing each and every piece of the art itself, even down to where the brightest part of the light shines from the innermost heart, and what looks like the beam of light coming down from the top almost looks like a cross from the side. When I was creating this, these characteristics just appeared, I’m not sure if I would be able to replicate them if I tried 😉
You can find this piece on my Etsy store for purchase. I pray this blesses you and reminds you of His love!
