Scripture: Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. Eph 3:17

We are commanded by God to love one another as Christ has loved us. 1Jn 3:11 This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. We know that if God commands us to do something, then He has given us the ability to fulfil it. Therefore we must assume that we have the ability to love one another, and yes, that includes all the people we think we don’t like! But how is this possible? Ephesians 3:17 gives us insight. It says that our roots are to grow down into His love. Just as a tree’s roots grow down into the soil and draw all the nutrients necessary to keep the tree healthy, so our roots can draw on God’s love, and it’s His love that makes it possible for us to love others. Our love alone isn’t sufficient even to love the people we like, but God’s love is endless. Psalm 108:4 tells us his love reaches to the heavens. That’s a lot of love to draw upon! He is the source of all we need. We can draw upon His joy, His forgiveness, His peace etc. whenever we need it. We just need to be rooted and grounded in Him. When we abide in Him, we can do all things but apart from Him we can do nothing. John 15:5 says: “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Don’t try to do things in your own strength; draw on Him. He makes all things possible. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Phil 4:13