Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

We are continuing our ‘D-Love’ of God appreciation, by understanding we’re commanded to be God’s ‘Love-Delegate’.

In today’s scripture, John 13:34-35 (NIV), Jesus said…
[34] “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. [35] By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Consider…
Valentine’s Day is known for showing those dear to us how much we love them. It’s also a day that some people, especially children, choose to spread love to everyone around them.

In today’s scripture, Jesus gave a new commandment, which was to love others as He loved us. He continued by saying that our love for others will let them know we are His disciples.

I hear a lot people champion causes for God, but I don’t know what scriptures in the Bible tell us to speak for God. However, I do know scriptures, like today’s, that tell us to love like God.

Two quick scriptures that come to mind are…

• 1 John 3:16 (NLT) which says…[16] We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.
• 1 John 4:10-11 (NLT) which says…[10] This is real love—not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. [11] Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.

… Clearly God wants us to love like Him.

Not only does God want us to love like Him, He wants us to be identified by our Christ-like love. The Holy Spirit directed me to Matthew 5:43-45 (NIV) to drive home that truth. Jesus said..
[43] “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ [44] But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Notice loving enemies confirms we’re our Heavenly Father’s children.

And in John 15:14, 17 (NLT) Jesus says our friendship with Him depends on our love for others. Here are His exact words…
[14] You are my friends if you do what I command.
[17] This is my command: Love each other.

It’s seems straightforward to me that God wants us to love others.

Yet, God doesn’t want us to just say we love others, He wants us to love the same way that does.

For example, when I read Colossians 3:12-14 (NLT) I see the attributes of God’s love for us that we must clothed in. The verses say…
[12] Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. [13] Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. [14] Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

Has God…

• Shown us tenderhearted Mercy? Ephesians 2:4-5 & Psalm 86:5
• Shown us patience? 2 Peter 3:9
• Made allowance for our faults? 2 Corinthians 5:21

That last makes me think of Vanessa Bell Armstrong singing…

Amazing Grace shall always be my, my, my song of praise
For it was grace that brought my liberty
I, I, I, I never know, never knew, no, no, I never know just how He came
To love me so
But He looked beyond every one of my faults
And saw all of my needs

I believe God wants us to extend His amazing grace and look beyond others faults and see their needs.

That thought is supported by Romans 12:20-21 (NLT) which says…
[20] Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” [21] Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.

The Holy Spirit is showing that God’s love and grace is given to be extended.

While looking for scriptures to write this post, the Holy Spirit drew my attention to 1 Peter 4:7-8 (NLT). It says…
[7] The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. [8] Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.

This made me think God is telling believers, especially those obsessed with the end of the world, that we must focus on praying AND showing deep love. I also see God emphasizes our love should cover a multitude of sins, just like His covered ours.

I hear Psalmist Armstrong singing again…

He looked beyond every one of my faults
And saw all of my needs

So as you think about showing love to those near and dear to you, remember the comprehensive love of God and spread it all over the world like Him.

I believe Jackie DeShannon explains why God wants you to be His ‘Love-Delegate’. It’s because, as she sings…

What the world needs now is love, sweet love
It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of
What the world needs now is love, sweet love
No not just for some but for everyone

Today, be God’s ‘Love-Delegate’ and spread love.

Today’s song is…
Spread Love

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)