A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35 (NKJV)
To love others well, we need to learn to receive and experience God’s love.
Without having and knowing God’s love, we’re prone to loving people with a wrong kind of love. There’s unconditional love and there’s toxic love. Toxic love doesn’t mean it comes from a bad person. Toxic love just means you love people conditionally. It’s like saying, “If you do this or that, I’ll love you more or treat you better.” That’s toxic love.
When we parent this way, we raise kids who tend to struggle in their relationships. If they’re treated better when they get better marks or they behave a certain way, that’s toxic. We can still encourage that kind of activity without adding love or value to it.
Love should never be conditional. Love should always be unconditional. And when we love unconditionally, it doesn’t mean our lives are going to fall apart. It doesn’t mean that we have to let people walk all over us or abuse us. We can develop good boundaries. We can say no to someone and show them love at the same time.
God’s love is so special, so beautiful, and so amazing. And when it comes to our relationships, we are empowered to love others unconditionally because God first loved us. Get into God’s Word and let it convince you of His love for you. Learn how to receive it and experience it, and you will be enabled to demonstrate God’s love in an incredible way!