How can I love others like Jesus does?

Understanding the Call to Love

Loving others in the same way Jesus does stands at the heart of the biblical message. It encompasses compassion, kindness, forgiveness, patience, humility, and self-sacrifice. The Berean Standard Bible frequently points to this calling. One of the most direct statements appears in John 13:34–35:

“A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

Because this directive defines a core identity marker of those who follow Jesus, understanding how to love others as He does helps shape faithful living and demonstrates a transformed character.

Biblical Foundations of Christlike Love

From Genesis to Revelation, the Scriptures highlight love as the guiding principle for how people should relate to one another. Several passages tie this teaching to God’s own character:

• 1 John 4:7–8 teaches, “Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

• Ephesians 5:1–2 instructs, “Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.”

These verses connect divine love to all areas of life, showing that genuine love is a reflection of God’s own nature and that Christ followers mirror this love in practical actions.

Jesus as the Perfect Model

When exploring how to love others like Jesus, consider several aspects illustrated in the Gospels:

1. Compassion for the Hurting: Jesus repeatedly showed compassion to those who were sick, grieving, or marginalized (e.g., Mark 1:40–42).

2. Forgiveness of the Offender: He forgave sins, modeling a life of grace (Luke 23:34).

3. Service in Humility: John 13:3–5 describes Jesus washing His disciples’ feet, a profound display of servanthood.

4. Willingness to Sacrifice: His sacrificial death (Philippians 2:5–8) is the pinnacle of selfless love, revealing that true love often involves giving up personal comfort for the sake of others.

Having this model clarifies that Christlike love extends well beyond mere sentiment. It evidences itself in compassion, forgiveness, servanthood, and sacrifice.

Key Characteristics of Christlike Love

1. Patience and Kindness

1 Corinthians 13:4–5 describes love as “patient” and “kind,” not self-seeking. This posture requires a gentle approach to others’ faults, allowing time and grace in relationships when mistakes occur.

2. Humility and Selflessness

As seen in Philippians 2:3–4, believers are called to “do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Humility ensures love is genuine and not consumed by self-promotion.

3. Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Colossians 3:13 teaches, “Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” True forgiveness frees both the forgiver and the forgiven, restoring fellowship and unity.

4. Truth and Righteousness

Loving like Jesus does not mean avoiding difficult truths. In Ephesians 4:15, believers are encouraged to speak the truth in love so that everyone can mature. Balancing truth with compassion prevents love from compromising righteousness and protects others from harmful paths.

5. Enduring Commitment

Christlike love remains steadfast, even during trials, hardships, or rejection. Philippians 1:6 declares that God faithfully completes what He begins. Modeling this endurance can sustain relationships through challenges and discord.

Practical Ways to Develop Christlike Love

1. Engage in Personal Prayer and Scripture Study

Spending time in prayer and in reflection on passages such as John 15:9–17 fortifies the heart to love sacrificially. Close communion with God shapes attitudes, making His love flow naturally.

2. Practice Active Empathy

Jesus demonstrated genuine empathy by attending to people’s needs (Mark 6:34). In today's context, listening closely, asking thoughtful questions, and sharing in others’ burdens help cultivate deeper, Christlike compassion.

3. Extend Forgiveness Daily

Resentment and bitterness hinder love. Make a daily decision to forgive. Matthew 6:14–15 links forgiveness with God’s own mercy. This fosters healthier relationships and reflects Jesus’ reconciling love.

4. Serve in Small and Significant Ways

Whether volunteering, helping a neighbor, or simply offering a kind word, consistent acts of service align with the pattern seen in John 13:14–17. Even simple gestures can speak volumes about God’s love.

5. Cultivate Accountability and Fellowship

Surround yourself with fellow believers who will encourage growth and correct you in love when necessary (Hebrews 10:24–25). Healthy fellowship keeps love as a priority and helps guard against self-centeredness.

6. Share the Good News

The Father’s love is supremely shown through the death and resurrection of Jesus (Romans 5:8). Sharing the message of Christ’s atoning work is both an act of love and an expression of obedience to the call to make disciples (Matthew 28:19–20).

Relevant Historical and Communal Insights

Early manuscripts, confirmed by archaeological finds and textual studies, underline the historical reliability of passages that emphasize love. For example, segments of the Gospel of John found in ancient papyri corroborate the text about loving one another (P52, dating from the second century). This textual consistency serves as profound evidence that the command to love in John 13 is neither a late addition nor a mistranslation, adding further authoritative weight to the biblical call for selfless love.

Moreover, early church historians (e.g., Eusebius) note that the believers in the early centuries were recognized for their sacrificial love for neighbors and strangers alike. This historical testimony supports the transformative power of putting Christ’s directives into action. Contemporary studies in behavioral science also reveal that altruistic care improves community well-being, aligning with biblical instructions to serve and love genuinely.

Walking in Daily Love

Loving like Jesus does is a lifelong pursuit. It calls for rootedness in God’s Word, an awareness of His character, and a willingness to yield personal desires for the good of others. Such love goes beyond mere human affection, drawing on the Holy Spirit’s strength (Galatians 5:22–23) to develop an unwavering, devoted heart toward God’s people.

Each day brings opportunities to live out Christ’s transformative love. Whether in a challenging family situation, a workplace conflict, a random encounter with a stranger, or fellowship within a congregation, the Holy Spirit empowers believers to demonstrate patience, kindness, and understanding, reflecting the grace already received.

As the world observes this steadfast, authentic love, it offers a compelling testimony of the reality of the risen Christ. By continuing to learn from Scripture and leaning on God’s enduring presence, believers can grow ever closer to the goal: “As I have loved you, so also you must love one another” (John 13:34).

Conclusion

Loving others like Jesus begins with recognizing the depths of His compassion, humility, and sacrifice. It involves surrendering personal gain to extend patience, kindness, and forgiveness. It calls for discovering joy in serving and leading others to the source of true love found in Him.

By meditating on His Word, pursuing humility, and relying on the Holy Spirit, believers can practice the enduring, life-giving love that characterizes disciples of Christ. This Christlike love is both a command and a privilege, revealing the character of God to a watching world and fulfilling the highest call of the Christian life.