Because of his great love, our lives should look different. When Jesus spent the last night with his disciples, he washed their feet before the Passover meal and before everything
went “amuck”, even though it was for our good. Jesus gives us a new command in John 17. Notice how Peter Briscoe shares it,

“Man-made religion and legalism would soon be nullified by the sacrificial death of Jesus “because God so loved the world…” Love is the new standard. But this new command, is it just a new thing we must do? A new burden to carry? Not if you look at the context and Jesus’ prayer that follows: I have made you known to them, and will continue to make you known in order that the love you have for me may be in them and that I myself may be in them. (John 17:26) At the very end of the discourse, Jesus says that it will be His love in us that will distinguish us as His disciples. He is in you, and it’s His love that fulfills this new command to love others.”

Because of his great love, our lives should change, they should not just be the illusion of love, but they should be loving. Loving in gentleness and loving in strength.

What would it look like if you lived out this passage? Sit with it for the day and notice the power through the Spirit, in Christ, with His love. May His love fill you and flow through you.

Ephesians 3:16-21- 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

May this be your prayer as well. God of Love, the Son showed me the Father’s love on the cross. Your love is real, and you have placed it in me. Let it flow, Jesus!