Are you struggling to love like Christ and not like the world? This post comes from our weekly newsletter – Monday Morning Reset – where we Get Rooted in Christ through our Core 4 – 1 Lesson, 1 Scripture, 1 Affirmation & 1 Question.
I hope you’re excited for this first issue of our new series “Christlike: Living Set Apart in Modern Times.” If you missed the overview, you can catch it here.
📑 1 Lesson: Love in a Self-Centered World
Have you noticed how the world talks about love? 🖐
It’s often tied to feelings, attraction, or what someone can do for you. Love is seen as something you give when it benefits you and you withdraw when it’s inconvenient or costly.
But Christ’s love? It’s the opposite. The world says, “Love when it’s easy.” Christ says, “Love even when it’s hard.” The world says, “Love those who treat you well.” Christ says, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” The world says, “Protect yourself first.” Christ says, “Lay down your life for others.”
When we love like the world, our love is conditional – it’s based on how someone makes us feel or what we get in return. And this can create division, breed resentment, and can keep us in a constant cycle of evaluating who’s “worthy” of our love. But when we love like Christ, our love is rooted in who He is, not in who they are or how they respond.
You see, the difference is the source. The world’s love depends on human strength, which runs dry, but Christ’s love flows from God’s Spirit, which never runs out. That’s why Jesus could love Judas at the Last Supper, wash His disciples’ feet, and die for people who didn’t even want Him. He wasn’t drawing from their worthiness, He was drawing from the Father’s love.
So, this week, let’s challenge ourselves to love someone like Christ – someone who doesn’t deserve it or someone who makes this act difficult. Some practical examples are:
- Choosing kindness when it’s easier to be cold
- Forgiving someone when it’s easier to hold a grudge
- Serving others when you get nothing in return
- Listening without rushing to speak
- Speaking truth with grace.
It’s not about liking everyone or approving of everything – it’s about reflecting Jesus in how we treat people, even the difficult ones. That kind of love will always stand out in a culture that puts self first.
📖 1 Scripture
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:35
The world will recognize Christ in us, not by our status, talents, or opinions – but by a love that looks nothing like the world’s love and everything like His.
💬 1 Affirmation
“I choose to love like Christ – freely, fully, and without conditions.”
Repeat this whenever you’re tempted to measure out your love based on someone’s behavior. Let it remind you that your love flows from an endless source.
1 Question
I’d love to hear from you in the comment section below.
“Where in my life am I loving like the world, and where am I loving like Christ?”
This week, spend time asking God to show you one area where you can shift from conditional love to Christlike love. The change in your heart might be the very thing that changes someone else’s.
In a world that loves with limits, Christ calls us to love without them. This week, let’s not just talk about love – let’s live it, in small, intentional ways that reflect His heart. Because when we love like Christ, the world can’t help but notice Him.
Next week, we’ll talk about practicing humility like Christ in a “Look-at-Me” Culture. See you there.
Let’s stay rooted in Christ my friend,
Founder of Rooted Living, LLC
On a Mission to help 1 million women live rooted in Christ