Learning to Love Like Jesus Changed My Life
When I first heard the phrase “Love like Jesus,” it sounded beautiful—and overwhelming. I thought, How can I ever match that kind of love? My attempts felt clumsy and gut-wrenchingly imperfect.
But then I saw this verse in John 13:34–35 (NKJV):
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you… by this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
That hit me hard. Jesus didn’t say to love like everyone else did—He said to love like He loved.
I can still remember Sunday nights when I lingered in church, tears in my eyes, asking God to help me truly love people—even the ones who hurt me, disappointed me, or made life messy.
What the Bible Actually Teaches About Loving Like Jesus
Let’s break down what loving like Jesus looks like—straight from Scripture:
1. Love Is Sacrificial
“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8 NKJV)
Jesus loved us first—when we didn’t deserve it, when we were facing brokenness and sin.
2. Love Sees Without Judgment
In John 4, Jesus met the woman at the well. She was living in shame, but He offered mercy and identity. He showed me that love doesn’t spotlight faults; it extends grace.
3. Love Is Patient, Forgiving, and Kind
“Love suffers long and is kind… it bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:4,7 NKJV)
Those verses aren’t just for weddings—they describe real love in action, day after day.
4. Love Speaks Truth in Gentleness
“Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all things into Him.” (Ephesians 4:15 NKJV)
Jesus didn’t sugarcoat. He spoke truth that healed, not hurt. Loving like Him means caring enough to speak, but in kindness.
Real-Life Examples of Loving Like Jesus
Bringing biblical love into everyday life means stepping out in small acts of faith.
- When my neighbor was grieving, I baked cookies, whispered prayers over her doorstep, and sat quietly—just loving with presence.
- A friend texted in tears last week. I sent Scripture and listened, my heart echoing Jesus’ comfort.
- I’ve practiced John 4’s example by listening without interrupting, so people feel seen instead of silenced.
This is love—unflashy, faithful, lifegiving. It stirs something deep in your soul and whispers, “This is how Jesus loves.”
Why Loving Like Jesus Is Radical—But Doable
Jesus set the bar high. But here’s the good news: He walked the path for us. Loving like Him isn’t about perfection—it’s about allowing His love to flow through our mess.
That’s why I recommend keeping your heart anchored in Scripture daily. A tool that helped me grow was the 30-Day Chronological Bible Plan—it helped my heart soak in God’s story of love and redemption every morning.
And if you’re ready to dive deeper, the Bible Study Plan PDF guided me through passages on love, forgiveness, and service in a transformative way.
Holding onto Jesus’ Love in Tough Moments
It’s one thing to say “love like Jesus” when life is easy. It’s another when your heart is heavy. I get it.
Last year, I faced a season of conflict that left me emotionally exhausted. I wanted to respond in anger—but I paused and prayed, “Jesus, help me love like You.”
That moment led me back to Ephesians 4:15, reminding me that speaking truth doesn’t have to wound; it can heal. I texted a gentle apology. We began to mend. It took faith, humility, and—above all—the model of Jesus moving through me.
When It’s Hard to Love Like Jesus—Do This
Let’s be honest. Sometimes we just don’t feel like loving. Maybe it’s a family member who’s hurt us, a co-worker who stirs drama, or even someone in church who seems impossible to connect with.
When I find myself resisting love, I turn to prayer. Not a fancy one. Something real like:
“Lord, I can’t do this on my own. Please help me to see them the way You do.”
That shift in perspective? It doesn’t excuse their behavior, but it softens my heart and realigns me with God’s Spirit.
💡 If you’re struggling with forgiveness, check out our honest article on letting go of anger and giving it to God. It walked me through exactly what I needed when my love ran dry.
Love Isn’t a Feeling—It’s a Choice
The Bible doesn’t say “feel love like Jesus.” It says to walk in love (Ephesians 5:2 NKJV). That means it’s not about our emotions—it’s about obedience.
When I’m tired, annoyed, or not “feeling it,” I remind myself that Jesus chose to love me—even when I didn’t love Him back. That’s the kind of love that changes everything.
In those moments, I try to remember the truth from our article about God’s patience and mercy. If He doesn’t give up on me, how could I give up on loving others?
Encouragement for When You Feel Like You’ve Failed
Maybe you’re reading this thinking, “I’ve already messed this up.”
Same. I’ve snapped at loved ones, held grudges, and ignored people who needed love. But you know what? Jesus still offers grace—even for that.
One verse I cling to is Lamentations 3:22–23 (NKJV):
“Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed… His mercies are new every morning.”
Every day is a chance to try again. To choose love again. Not by striving harder, but by letting Jesus do the work in us.
If you need a reset, this End of Day Prayer is a great way to give your heart to Him before bed and start fresh tomorrow.
What Loving Like Jesus Looks Like in Real Life
It’s one thing to talk about love—it’s another to actually live it out when it’s inconvenient. I’ve found that loving like Jesus means doing things that often go unnoticed. Small sacrifices. Quiet kindness. Holding back judgment when it’s easier to criticize.
Jesus washed His disciples’ feet. That’s humility in action. He spent time with people others ignored—tax collectors, lepers, sinners. He saw them as souls, not problems.
When I’m out running errands and someone cuts me off, or I see someone who’s clearly struggling—I stop and ask, “How would Jesus respond right now?” That question shifts me from reacting to responding with grace.
For ideas on how to bring that kind of faith into your everyday routine, you might enjoy our simple 30-day Bible reading plan—it’s helped me stay rooted in the truth so I can respond in love.
Explaining “Love Like Jesus” to Kids and New Believers
When my kids asked me what it means to love like Jesus, I kept it simple: “It means treating people the way God treats us—kind, patient, forgiving, and always honest.”
If you’ve ever tried to explain this to someone new in the faith, it helps to point them to Jesus’ actions, not just His words. I recommend reading through the Gospels with them, especially stories like:
- Jesus and the woman at the well (John 4)
- The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10)
- Jesus forgiving the woman caught in adultery (John 8)
Each one is a living picture of love in action—compassion mixed with truth.
We actually have a custom Bible collection that makes a great gift for young adults or new believers. Many of them come engraved and ready for years of study. And if you want to go digital, I highly recommend our Bible study guides as a companion.
Stay Anchored: Scripture Is the Source of Love
I’ve learned that when I’m not soaking in God’s Word, my love gets weak. I start reacting instead of responding. That’s why I return again and again to passages that remind me of how deeply I’ve been loved.
Here are a few of my go-to verses when I need help loving like Jesus:
- Romans 5:8 (NKJV) – “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
- 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 – The classic “love is patient, love is kind…” reminder.
- Ephesians 4:2 – “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
If you want help understanding what real love looks like according to the Bible, check out our article comparing Bible versions. It’ll help you pick the most accurate translation so you’re soaking in truth—not watered-down fluff.
Loving Like Jesus Even When It’s Hard
Let’s be real—some people are hard to love. I’ve been there. Maybe they’ve hurt you. Maybe they’re just plain rude. But Jesus didn’t say, “Love your neighbor if they’re nice.” He said to love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you (Matthew 5:44).
One of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do was forgive someone who didn’t deserve it. But then I remembered—I didn’t deserve Jesus’ love either. That changes how you see people.
When I’m tempted to hold a grudge or walk away from someone tough to love, I remember what Jesus said from the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). That’s the level of love we’re called to imitate.
If you’re struggling to forgive or love someone in your life right now, I wrote something that may help: How to trust God in hard times. It’s often in the hard moments that Jesus teaches us how to love.
Real Questions About What It Means to Love Like Jesus
Is loving like Jesus even possible?
Yes, but not on your own strength. We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). Ask God daily to help you love like He does.
What if someone keeps hurting me—do I still have to love them?
Loving someone doesn’t mean allowing abuse. Boundaries are biblical. But even if you distance yourself, you can still forgive and wish them well in your heart.
How can I start loving like Jesus more consistently?
Start in the Word. Start with prayer. Start small. Loving like Jesus is a lifelong journey, not a one-time event. Need a plan to grow in love daily? Try our Chronological Bible Reading Plan or consider gifting someone a personalized Bible to grow in truth together.
Can I still love like Jesus even though I’m not perfect?
Absolutely. None of us are perfect—Jesus knows that. But He calls us to walk in His love daily. If you’re feeling too messy to even try, read this reminder that Jesus meets us right where we are.
As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases through some links in our articles.
