A New Commitment To Love

Social Distancing is nothing new. Let me repeat that. Social Distancing is nothing new. Daily, many of us have been living our lives socially distant from those around us. 

A physical distance of 6 feet is the new norm of society. But, an unstated distancing norm has long pervaded our homes, neighborhoods, jobs and churches. Many of us have been living distant mentally and spiritually from those around us. 

Ouch! I know it hurts to read, but it is true. 

How do you know if you are distant:

• You are unable to empathize with others
• You show little concern for those around you
• You hear them but you don’t listen to them
• Your prayers for them are non-existent or shallow

Has this ever happened to you? In passing someone says good morning, and asks you “how are you doing?” You respond “I’m not doing that well,” and they respond “I’m fine too.” They gave a programmed response, completely missing the part where you said you are not feeling well. This has happened to me and I have also done it to others. 

Understandably, no one chooses to have lacking personally connected relationships with their family and friends. We all want to be in loving and caring relationships but sometimes we are just too busy to listen to, call and pray for others. Yes, life is hectic and many times the places that suffer while we are trying to progress are our relationships. 

God wants us to be committed to building and maintaining healthy relationships with our family, friends and fellow church goers. Relationships that will uplift and ultimately lead them to Christ. This fact is seen throughout The Bible. 

In Matthew 22:36-40, the religious leaders ask Jesus what is the greatest commandment. His response was:

“‘…Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Matthew 22:36-40 (NIV)

It is powerful that right up there with loving God is loving others. 

Through their writings to the church, the apostles also expanded upon having a commitment to love. Here are some of their writings:

Romans 12:10 – Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

1 John 3:18 – Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

1 Peter 3:8 – Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.

1 Corinthians 12:26 – If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Why should we be committed to showing brotherly love?

When we show a genuine commitment to love to others we uplift ourselves, our relationships, and the body of Christ. Ultimately, if we say that we are Christians, we then have the burden of proof. John 13:35 gives the simple yet profound thing that we must do to prove who’s we are:

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:35 (ESV)

Consequently, we are children of God if we uplift others. We are His when we show love and concern for others. We fulfill our duties when we love Him and love His people regardless of what’s going on in our lives. 

I encourage you to renew your commitment to loving others. It doesn’t take long either, they are just a text, call or email away. What a wonderful thing if we can turn this time of physical distancing into a time to draw nearer to the persons that God has placed in our lives.