Love one another with mutual affection (Romans 12:10)
About this verse, Martin Luther writes, "No feeble love is demanded here, but a love that comes from the heart, so that our heart bears witness that the sorrow of others hurts us as much as if it were our own and their prosperity cheers us as much as if it were our own."
This is the goal of "loving your neighbor as yourself" and it is a daunting task. Our sin, our shame, our fear, and our jealousies can keep us from fully embracing this vision of Jesus. Still, it is our goal and a call to change our hearts.
How then do we do this? I believe that as we come to experience and internalize our own worthiness, our own value as defined by God's love for us, we are best able to love with our whole hearts. Perhaps it is only for a time, a moment even. Still, we can, through the grace and strength of Jesus, dare to love in such a divine way.
Know this, that you are a blessing and gift. You need not define yourself over and against another, but can find solace and strength in knowing that you are a chosen, beloved child of God. Period.
So dare to to love others with all your hearts. Dare to celebrate with others in their joy. Dare to bless others and support others in their sorrow. Dare to be the people God has created you to be!
Lord Jesus, inspire us to love and see ourselves as you love and see us so that we might love and see others as you love and see them. Amen.
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