Why Loving People Is So Important

John 13:34–35

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

One of the most powerful statements Jesus ever made was not about preaching, miracles, church growth, buildings, programs, or accomplishments. It was about love.

Jesus told His disciples that the distinguishing mark of a believer would be their love for other people. He did not say the world would recognize His followers by their titles, knowledge, or success. He said they would be recognized by their love.

This is both simple and profound.

Love is the evidence that the life of Christ is working within us.

Love Reflects the Nature of God

God is love.

Everything God does flows from His nature. His mercy, grace, forgiveness, patience, and kindness are all expressions of His love.

When we choose to love others, we are reflecting the character of our Heavenly Father.

Anyone can be kind to people who are easy to love. The true test of spiritual maturity is learning to love people who are different, difficult, imperfect, or even disagreeable.

Love allows us to represent Christ in a world that desperately needs Him.

“He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.” 1 John 4:8

Love Changes Everything

My father, Pastor Johnny R. King, understood the power of love because of where he came from.

He grew up in the inner city of Fort Worth, Texas, raised by a single mother alongside his sister. Life was not always easy. His father lived a very different lifestyle. He was known as a hustler on the streets and was involved in activities that kept him from being present in his son’s life.

One of the few memories my father had of him was receiving a pair of cowboy boots.

As my father grew older, he could have chosen bitterness. He could have carried resentment because of what he lacked. He could have blamed his father for what was missing in his childhood.

Instead, something greater happened.

He encountered the love of God.

The love of God taught him how to forgive.

The love of God taught him how to see people beyond their failures.

The love of God taught him that hurt people often hurt people, but healed people help heal people.

My father forgave his dad for not being present. He forgave him for the mistakes he made. He forgave him for the years that could never be recovered. Through God’s love, he discovered a different way to live.

That love eventually began flowing outward toward others.

He started helping people in practical ways. He passed out paper towels, toilet tissue, soap, food, and basic necessities to the homeless and to families in need. Long before there were programs, budgets, buildings, or organized outreaches, there was simply a man whose heart had been transformed by the love of God.

What started as simple acts of kindness eventually became something much larger.

In June of 1978, Christian Outreach Center was born.

The foundation was not a building.

The foundation was not a title.

The foundation was not a program.

The foundation was love expressed through acts of kindness.

Today, decades later, that same spirit continues to influence everything we do. Whether serving families, helping seniors, supporting single parents, feeding the hungry, encouraging young people, or ministering to the community, the mission remains the same: love God and love people.

God works in many ways. He works through wisdom. He works through faith. He works through obedience. He works through prayer. He works through opportunities and open doors.

But I am convinced that one of the most profound ways God works is through love.

Love reaches people where arguments cannot.

Love heals wounds that money cannot heal.

Love opens doors that force cannot open.

Love creates connections that can change the course of a person’s life.

Love learns to exist outside of itself.

It moves beyond personal comfort and personal interest and begins seeking the good of others.

The Kingdom of God advances every time someone chooses love over selfishness, kindness over indifference, forgiveness over bitterness, and service over self-promotion.

“Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God.” 1 John 4:7

“We love him, because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

Love Builds Bridges

People are often won through relationships before they are won through arguments.

Many individuals are carrying burdens that we cannot see.

Broken hearts.

Financial struggles.

Family problems.

Health challenges.

Emotional pain.

Loneliness.

A loving conversation, a kind word, or a simple act of compassion can open a door that no sermon ever could.

Love creates connection.

Connection creates trust.

Trust creates opportunities for transformation.

Love Creates Unity

One of the enemy’s greatest strategies is division.

Division destroys families, friendships, churches, businesses, and communities.

Love, however, brings people together.

Love helps us listen.

Love helps us forgive.

Love helps us extend grace when people fall short.

A healthy church is not made up of perfect people. It is made up of people learning how to love one another despite imperfections.

When love becomes the culture, unity becomes the result.

“And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.” Colossians 3:14

Love Requires Action

Biblical love is more than a feeling.

Love is demonstrated through action.

Sometimes love looks like encouragement.

Sometimes love looks like patience.

Sometimes love looks like correction.

Sometimes love looks like sacrifice.

Jesus did not merely tell us He loved us. He demonstrated His love through His life, His service, and ultimately through the Cross.

Real love always moves beyond words and becomes visible through actions.

“Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18

The Greatest Witness

Jesus said:

“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”

The world is watching.

People are looking for authenticity.

They are looking for something real.

When believers genuinely love God and genuinely love people, the message of Christ becomes visible.

Love is not weakness.

Love is strength under control.

Love is leadership in action.

Love is faith made visible.

And according to Jesus, love is the greatest evidence that we truly belong to Him.

Final Thoughts

In a world filled with criticism, division, self-interest, and isolation, choose to be known for love.

Love people when it is easy.

Love people when it is difficult.

Love people when they deserve it.

Love people when they don’t.

Because when we love people the way Christ loved us, we reveal the heart of God to the world around us.

“Let all your things be done with charity.” 1 Corinthians 16:14

Love changes people.

Love changes families.

Love changes communities.

Love changed a young man from Fort Worth who learned to forgive his father and serve others.

And in June of 1978, that love gave birth to Christian Outreach Center.

More than four decades later, that same love is still changing lives.