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Daily Devotion - John 13:34 - Everybody, Always⁠⁠“I give you a new command: Love one another. Just as I have loved you, you are also to love one another." John 13:34 CSB⁠⁠“I love you!” my youngest daughter said earnestly, attempting to make up with her sister after a recent squabble. “I love you, too,” my oldest replied somewhat reluctantly, “except when you do that!”⁠⁠Can you relate?⁠⁠As believers in Christ, we are called to love everyone—no exceptions. But in reality, it’s not always that straightforward. As the saying goes, “No one ever said love was easy. And if they did, they lied.” (Jenn Sterling)⁠⁠LOVING OTHERS ISN'T EASY⁠⁠Human beings are inherently sinful and fundamentally flawed with the capacity to frustrate, anger, baffle, and deeply wound one another. We are a wonderfully rich and diverse species, yet those differences can be a source of much confusion, conflict, and division between us. From the way we look, speak, and live out our beliefs and values, to our cultural experiences, educational backgrounds, and even our zip codes, each person brings their own unique contribution to the table—and some of it may be more palatable to us than others.⁠⁠No, loving others is never easy, but Jesus calls us to do it anyway.⁠⁠Why? Because He does.⁠⁠JESUS DIDN'T DISCRIMINATE⁠⁠Male and female, rich and poor, healthy and sick, honorable and dishonorable; Jesus did not discriminate. Instead, He demonstrated a radical, passionate, counter-cultural love to each and every person He encountered—without strings, without judgment, and without exception. A redeeming love that pointed people toward the Father and offered hope and freedom to a world that was weary, broken, and lost. A self-sacrificial love that took Him all the way to the cross. A love that is still very much evident today.⁠⁠And we, as undeserving recipients of this abundant, life-changing love, have a responsibility to extend it to those around us, so that, as Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples…” (John 13:35).⁠⁠Read the full devotion at https://devotableapp.com/daily-devotion-john-13-34-everybody-always/