How can we truly love others when Christian community gets messy and frustrating?

In week two of the Side by Side series, we look at the core fruit of living in spiritual community: love. Real Christian community is not romanticized or easy, because it is filled with imperfect people who can frustrate or disappoint us. Drawing from John 13 and Romans 12, Jesus commands us to love one another using a new standard, as he has loved us.

Before we can offer love, we must first receive the sacrificial, humbling love of Christ. Loving one another is not about Christian niceness or passive agreement, but an active decision to serve, honor, pray for, and bear burdens with those around us. By choosing intentionality over isolation, our genuine love for each other becomes a powerful witness to the world.

Take time this week to reflect on where God is inviting you to practice sincere love. How can you extend the grace you have received to someone in your church or life group today?