The song, I Can Only Imagine, invites us to picture the day when we stand face-to-face with Jesus, surrounded by His perfect love, free from sin, pain, and division. But what if we didn’t have to wait for heaven to taste that love? What if we could love here and now the way Jesus loves us?
If we loved like Jesus, everything would change.
- Forgiveness would flow freely, not only for the small offenses, but for the deep wounds that have lingered for years in families, friendships, and long-forgotten relationships.
- Selflessness would come naturally; we would put others before ourselves, as Jesus did when He took the form of a servant (Philippians 2:3–4).
- Value would be given to everyone, the overlooked, the misunderstood, and even the “unlovable” would be embraced.
- Fear would fade, because perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18), we could live boldly, without insecurity or suspicion.
And imagine what this would mean for our closest relationships.
In marriage: Ephesians 5:25, 33 calls husbands to love their wives “as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her,” and wives to respect and honor their husbands. This is not about control or competition, it’s about mutual, sacrificial love. In such a marriage:
- No one keeps score of wrongs (1 Corinthians 13:5).
- Each spouse looks for ways to bless, not demand.
- Forgiveness is quick, pride is set aside, and serving each other becomes the norm.
In families: Colossians 3:12–14 tells us to “clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another, and over all these, put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” When a family loves like Jesus:
- Parents lead with grace, not harshness (Ephesians 6:4).
- Children honor their parents out of love, not fear (Ephesians 6:1–3).
- Siblings become encouragers instead of rivals.
In friendships: Proverbs 17:17 reminds us that “a friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” When we love like Jesus as friends:
- Loyalty remains through hardship.
- Truth is spoken with kindness (Ephesians 4:15).
- Encouragement lifts burdens instead of adding to them (1 Thessalonians 5:11).
Bereans, a marriage, family, or a friendship shaped by the love of Jesus becomes a living portrait of the gospel, a daily reminder of His patient, selfless, unshakable love.
Every time we love like Jesus, in our homes, our friendships, our workplaces, and our communities, we bring a small taste of heaven to earth.
Prayer:
Lord, teach me to love my spouse, my family, my friends, and my neighbor the way You love me, freely, sacrificially, and without condition. Let my life point others to the beauty of Your love.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor Terry B.
https://youtu.be/N_lrrq_opng
