34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:34-35

Jesus tells us to love one another just as He loves us.

If we are to do it practically and effectively, we must learn to know each other and have the courage to embrace each other's uniqueness and help each other to express ourselves fully as we are.

Our starting point is Christ Himself.

We love only as we are loved by Him and flow from that love to love others. Love is not mere emotion. It is attitude and action that are consistent to the character of God. In 1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul tells us what God-centred love looks and acts like in everyday life. If we truly want to impact lives for Christ in our city and community, we must first allow ourselves to be loved by God and then respond to that love. In other words, we cannot love if we have not been loved. That was what Jesus did. He knew God's love and obeyed Him through being willing to reach out in love to a broken and wounded world. And ultimately He sacrificed Himself on the Cross for us.

To love as Jesus loves comes from our willingness to put others needs ahead of us, and to serve them with humility and sincerity. Host a meal or gathering to create space to grow new friendships and strengthen current relationships. The power of hospitality opens hearts and opportunities to connect through meaningful conversations and mutual support.

There is no shortage of what we can do if we are intentional about godly and genuine friendships. Hear each other's dreams and concerns and pray for and with each other. Pick a project and do it together and celebrate when it is done. And always forgive and forgive and forgive some more because we and our friends will mess up and not live up to each other's expectations. It is in forgiveness and extending mercy to one another that our friendship can weather the storms and turmoil that invariably occur.

Focus on Jesus and come to a deeper and greater understanding of His love and character. Then, you can lean on His grace and power to imitate Him in how you love and treat the people around you.