You know, I remember a time when I loved someone deeply, but I found myself growing cold when they hurt me. I thought I had forgiven them, but every time their name came up, my heart tightened. I realized my love was conditional—I was loving like the world: when it was easy, when it made sense, and when it didn’t cost me anything. But one morning in prayer, the Lord gently reminded me of Peter—how he denied Jesus three times (Luke 22:61-62). Jesus could’ve walked away, but instead, He restored Peter in love. That challenged me. Was I loving like Jesus or like the world?

Point #1: Human Love is Conditional

Luke 22:61-62 says, “The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, ‘Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.’ And he went out and wept bitterly.” Peter loved Jesus deeply—he swore he’d never deny Him. But when fear entered the picture, that love faltered. That’s a clear picture of human love: it often depends on how we feel, what we’re facing, or how others treat us. The world’s love is based on circumstances and self-preservation. We’ve all been Peter—promising loyalty, then falling short. But God doesn’t want us to love from a place of comfort or fear. He calls us to rise above our natural tendency to protect ourselves and instead press into His supernatural love that stands firm, even under pressure.

Point #2: Jesus Loves Sacrificially and Unconditionally

I love how Paul reminds us of the God kind of love in Romans 5:8 by saying, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Unlike the world, Jesus doesn’t wait for us to become lovable or clean ourselves up. His love is proactive and unshakable. While we were still broken, selfish, and sinful, He chose the cross. This is the love that rewrites our story and redefines our value—not because of who we are, but because of who He is. We’re called to love like Jesus—to show up with grace, to love without strings, and to give when it costs us something. That’s the love that changes people. That’s the love that looks like Jesus.

Point #3: Jesus’ Love Calls Us to Lay Ourselves Down

“…and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.” Ephesians 5:2 The world teaches us to set boundaries that protect our pride. But Jesus teaches us to set boundaries that protect our hearts for love’s sake. He laid down His life—not because it was easy, but because it was necessary. His love was a choice. And real love always is. When we love like Jesus, we don’t keep score. We don’t wait for people to deserve our kindness. We lay down our offenses, our ego, and our comfort. Why? Because Christ did the same for us. That’s what it means to walk in love—not to feel it, but to live it.

Our encouraging Takeaway: Love isn’t earned—it’s given. And Jesus is the perfect example of how to love even when it hurts.