Discover what it means to love like Jesus in this devotional from the Fruit of the Spirit series. Includes Scripture, reflection, and journaling prompts.
Love That Looks Like Jesus | Fruit of the Spirit – Week 1 Devotional
Scripture Focus:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
What Does “Love That Looks Like Jesus” Mean?
What Does “Love That Looks Like Jesus” Even Mean?
When people say “love,” most of us think about feelings — warmth, kindness, being nice.
But Jesus didn’t just feel love. He lived it. Every day. For people who didn’t deserve it, didn’t ask for it, and couldn’t pay Him back.
This isn’t fluffy love.
It’s not performative.
It’s not “be nice and smile.”
It’s real. It’s costly. It’s Christ.
Jesus’s love was:
- Active — He fed people, healed people, helped people. Not because it was easy.
- Sacrificial — He gave everything for people who ran.
- Unchanging — He never pulled back when people failed Him. He stayed.
That’s what we’re called to. Not Instagram love. Not “good vibes only” love.
Jesus love.
This is agape love, a selfless, divine kind of love—and is what we, as followers of Christ, are called to embody.
A Gut-Check Example: John 13
Jesus washed His disciples’ feet.
Let that land:
God in the flesh got on the floor and cleaned the dirt off their feet.
Even Judas. (Sit here with that one for a minute)
Even Peter.
He didn’t say, “You’re worthy.” He said, “I’m willing.”
That’s the kind of love that flips everything upside down.
How Do We Live Like That?
If we’re serious about following Jesus, love can’t just be a theory.
Here are three ways to actually do it:
1. Put Others First
Jesus didn’t chase comfort. He looked around and asked, Who can I serve right now?
You don’t need a spotlight. Just ask: What would love do here?
2. Forgive When It Hurts
Jesus forgave while they were killing Him.
If you’re waiting until it’s easy, it won’t happen.
Ask Him to help you let it go. Even if it’s just a small start.
3. Love With No Strings Attached
Jesus didn’t love based on effort, appearance, or payback.
Neither should we.
Real love shows up even when they don’t deserve it.
Reflection Gut-Checks
- Who’s hard to love right now? Be honest. What would Jesus’s love look like toward them?
- Is selfishness stopping you from showing up the way Christ did?
- How has God shown you grace lately — and how can you pass that on?
Prayer (Straightforward, Not Fluffy)
God, I can’t love like You without You.
I get in the way.
I want comfort. I want to be right. I want to protect myself.
But You loved me when I was a mess. And You still do.
Help me love people the way You love me — for real.
Change my heart. Kill my pride. Fill me with Your Spirit.
Make it real. Make it loud. Make it Yours.
Amen.
Final Push
You’re not going to love perfectly. Me neither.
But the Holy Spirit will shape you — if you let Him.
This week, don’t overthink it.
Start with the next person in front of you.
And let love look a little more like Jesus.
