Why Love People?

These past few days we have studied and taken a deep look into what it means to love people. We have learned how to treat all people. So now we look at why we are supposed to love people. What's the purpose of loving those around us?

As Christians, Jesus said we are "the light of the world."

Matthew 5:14-16 NIV

[14]  “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

We bring something into this dark world that people around us can see, that they do not experience everyday. We bring something different into the world around us. 

When we love them and show them love by our good deeds, this points to God, this points to Jesus. This makes people take note. This gets their attention. This makes people wonder why we are different from everyone else. All of this should point to Jesus Christ, THE TRUE LIGHT.

When we love people, we reflect the love that Jesus has for all mankind. We reflect THE LIGHT that has come into the world. We reflect Jesus. We do not love people for our own praise, admiration, or attention from those around us. We love people to draw attention to Jesus Christ, who first loved us. We love people to draw them to Jesus Christ. That's why we show love to all those around us. So, they can come to God and be saved by their faith in Christ Jesus.

All this points to Jesus Christ, our Savior, our Redeemer. Everything that we are in this world should point to Jesus Christ, not ourselves. So, others can be saved Church. Like John the Baptist said:

John 3:30 NIV

[30] He must become greater; I must become less.”

Our lives and how we love people should point them to Jesus, like John the Baptist's did. We should reflect the light of Jesus in our lives by our love for all people.

We have a great example of this in nature. The Moon reflects the Sun's light. We should reflect Jesus's light into the world. It all begins with our loving all people. 

We love all people to point them to Jesus Christ.

Love you all dear readers,

Jeffrey Post