What It Means to Love Like Jesus (And Why It’s So Hard)

We talk a lot about love, but let’s be honest—loving like Jesus is difficult. It’s easy to love people when they’re kind, when they appreciate us, when they love us back. But what about when they don’t?

Jesus didn’t just love people when it was convenient. He loved when it cost Him everything.

The Problem: Our Love Has Limits

Most human love is transactional—whether we admit it or not. We love:

• When it’s easy (but avoid difficult people).
• When it benefits us (but struggle when there’s nothing in return).
• When we feel like it (but withdraw when we’re hurt).

That’s not how Jesus loved. His love had no off switch.

John 13:34-35 – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Jesus didn’t say, “Love when you feel like it.” He said, “Love as I have loved you.” That’s a high standard.

Jesus’ Love in Action

So, what does loving like Jesus actually look like?

• Loving those who betray you.
  “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” – Luke 23:34
  → Jesus loved even as He was being crucified. No conditions. No revenge. Just love.
• Loving without seeking repayment.
  “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them.” – Luke 6:32
  → Real love gives without expecting anything in return.
• Loving in action, not just words.
  “Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18
  → Love isn’t just a feeling—it’s a daily choice.

Why It’s Hard (And Why We Do It Anyway)

Loving like Jesus is hard because it goes against our instincts. It requires us to:

• Forgive when we’d rather hold a grudge.
• Give when we’d rather keep.
• Serve when we’d rather be served.

But here’s the key: We don’t love like Jesus on our own strength.

📖 1 John 4:7 – “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.”

The more we experience His love, the more we’re able to reflect it.

How to Love Like Jesus Every Day

• Start small. Love isn’t always grand gestures—it’s daily choices.
• Pray for the hard-to-love people. (Yes, even them.)
• Remember: Jesus loves you when you’re difficult too.

Loving like Jesus isn’t about perfection—it’s about reflection. When people see the way we love, they should see Him.

Reflection Question:

Who in your life needs to experience the love of Jesus through you?

Let’s talk. Drop a comment below.