You Are Called to be a SaintEsimerkki

### Saints love each other “For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers” (Ephesians 1:15-16). Jesus commanded His disciples to love one another just as He had loved them. This love should be a distinctive characteristic of Jesus’ followers (John 13:34-35). It does not come naturally, however. Saints are not always pleasant, lovely people. They are born again but still struggling to get rid of their ‘old self’ with sinful desires and selfishness. Some of your fellow believers may not be ‘your type.’ Some may hold completely different political opinions or have curious and annoying manners. But Jesus commands you to love them nevertheless. In John 17, Jesus prays to God the Father. He asks that His followers may be strongly united with Him and with each other and that the love with which God the Father has loved God the Son from eternity may also be in them. This powerful, divine love can overcome our all-too-human struggles to love others. Jesus loved us while we were still sinners, hostile to God, and He loves us now that we are struggling to live holy lives. His Spirit enables us to love our spiritual brothers and sisters as well. Is there a person in your life you have a hard time loving? Take a moment today to pray for this person in particular!