Loving like Christ is central to what it means to follow Christ, but in a divided world, that mission can feel complicated. Conversations are tense, emotions run high, and disagreements often feel personal.
As followers of Jesus, we are faced with an essential question: how can we love like Christ without compromising truth?
The Bible reminds us that Christ’s love is not passive or demanding, but is rooted in truth, shaped by humility, and guided by grace. John 1:14 says that Jesus came “full of grace and truth,” indicating that the two should never have been separated.
First, let’s examine the characteristics of Christ’s love based on God’s living Word, the Bible. All teachings about Jesus must be evaluated in the light of Scripture. Because the Bible is our reliable and enduring source of truth.
Humility modeled by Jesus
Although Jesus held ultimate authority, he consistently modeled humility. This is evident throughout the Bible. In Matthew 23:12, Jesus teaches, “He who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted” (ESV).
Jesus never felt the need to prove himself. Because Jesus knew exactly who He was. And so it is now. He does not require others to prove himself. Instead, God repeatedly exhorts his followers to live their lives with the same humility that he exemplified. One of the clearest examples of this humble, servant life of the heart is found in the words of Jesus himself. “Even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45, ESV).
Practicing humility in a divided world can make a powerful impression. Our culture often promotes pride, which is in stark contrast to the way Christ lived. In moments of conflict, choosing humility is a tangible way to express love for others. And if you want to survive this situation successfully, you need to understand what humility is.
Humility doesn’t mean putting yourself down. Rather, it appears to show respect to others, even if that respect is not returned. For example, imagine someone criticizes you for doing something wrong at work. Humility begins with seeking understanding rather than defending yourself. Ask questions such as “Why do you think that?” or “What did I do to come to that conclusion?” It can help relieve tension. Our instincts often tend to be defensive (I certainly was), but a defensive posture usually only intensifies the conflict.
There was a moment when Jesus’ words intensified the conflict. Yet, more often than not, God has chosen to ask questions and model for us thoughtful and relational ways to engage with others during difficult conversations.
Jesus always told the truth
Jesus consistently treated imperfect people with compassion. He did not withhold love until they changed. Rather, God first loved them, and that love brought about transformation.
At the heart of Christ’s love we find truth. From the beginning of Jesus’ ministry, everything he taught and modeled centered on this truth: God is the only true God, and His perfect Son, Jesus, was given to us as a gift so that we could be restored to a right relationship with God. God’s love was never separated from truth, and God’s truth was never communicated without grace.
We tend to focus on the miracles of Jesus and how he shared a meal with sinners, and rightly so, but everything Jesus did served a deeper purpose: to reach the lost and to reveal truths that lead to freedom, truths that will set us free from the destructive power of sin.
For example, Jesus did not heal people to make life easier on earth. Jesus healed them, revealing God’s mercy, authority, and nearness, and opening their hearts to eternal restoration.
The way we continue to love our neighbors, even when we disagree, is to always carry the truth with us. When everything we do points to Jesus, the love of Jesus becomes visible through us. When our motivation is rooted in sharing the truth rather than proving ourselves right, love flows naturally.
God sent Jesus to be God with us. It was to restore our relationship with God and invite us to true life. Jesus is not just an inviter. He also secured our way home.
When we view Christ’s love through a distorted lens, we risk missing its transformative power. If we believe that Jesus healed and accepted sinners simply to prioritize their comfort and happiness in this life, we miss the full beauty and purpose of Jesus’ mission.
The love of Christ does not elevate human desires above the holiness of God. Rather, it lovingly invites us into it. And it is within that invitation that we find our true life. As we model the love of Christ, we extend the same invitation to others, leading them into the life that Christ so freely offers.
Throughout the Gospels, we see countless examples of how Jesus approached people and changed them. The most striking is the story of a woman caught at the scene of adultery.
Publicly humiliated, shamed, and surrounded by religious leaders eager to condemn her, she stood before Jesus, perhaps expecting the same treatment she had received so many times before. rejection. judgement. punishment. Instead, Jesus gave her dignity. He silenced her accusers. He dealt with her fear with mercy. And when Jesus finally spoke, His words were full of grace, not condemnation. “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more” (John 8:11).
As we reflect on this moment, we begin to see patterns that lead us to truth. Forgiveness came before correction. Love came before transformation. Grace created space for change.
Jesus did not minimize her sin, but He also refused to define her by it. He humiliated her into disobedience. He loved her freely. And this pattern is repeated over and over again throughout the Gospels.
Before Jesus commits to evil, he invites Zacchaeus, a corrupt tax collector, into his company. Before he reveals the Samaritan woman’s wounds, he offers her living water. Rather than rejecting Peter after his betrayal, he restored Peter. Grace walked ahead of correction wherever Jesus went.
Do I love like Christ?
When we think about how Jesus loved and led others, we can’t help but gauge our own response to him. I have to admit, God’s way is not always the way I approach others or myself. There are moments when we respond with pressure instead of patience, with judgment instead of grace, with control instead of trust.
But what I realized is that when I was lacking, I turned my focus away from Jesus and focused on my own shortcomings. I focus on myself and pull myself inward instead of letting God’s grace guide me.
The good news is that even if my comparison falls short, I am invited, not condemned. God gently and lovingly realigns me to His ways. We can do this for ourselves, but we can also extend this gentle and loving realignment to others.
We can willingly turn to God, confess it, surrender ourselves to Him, and once again receive His grace. Rather than bring us down and push us away, God draws us closer and reminds us that His transforming power lives within us. And once again, the Lord looks us toward the next step in His grace.
Jesus is truly the best example of how to love in a divided world. When Jesus walked this earth, there was no shortage of divisions: Romans and Jews, Pharisees and Gentiles. Today, our divisions may have different names, but the application of Christ’s love remains the same.
As you draw near to Christ, consider these questions: Do my words and actions reflect the grace and truth of Jesus to those around me?
Vanessa Lu is a wife, mother, and faith-based writer. She speaks and writes to encourage believers to truly live with God.
