The first and greatest command is: “To love the Lord your God, with all your heart, mind and strength” (Matthew 22:37). Jesus didn’t stop there, He said the second is just like it. We are to, “Love your neighbour as you love yourself” (Matthew 22:39). Jesus commanded his disciples to not just love God, but to love the people of God. The Bible makes it clear that we cannot say we love God, and hate our brother. In fact it goes as far as to say that the love of God doesn’t dwell in the person who harbours hate for someone else (1 John 4:20). God is love and He demonstrated how to walk in love through His Son Jesus. And since His very Own Spirit lives in us – His love dwells in us too, placing not just a responsibility, but an expectation for us to walk in the same manner of love to those around us. 1 John 4:7-8 says, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” . How do we practically do this when people have hurt or disappointed, or done us wrong? We love others as an act of our will, with the love of God that is already in us! Romans 5:5 says, “…the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”. The first step to having that love flow from our inner-man to others, is by us choosing to forgive. Forgiveness is not an option for the believer. It has to be a deliberate act of our obedience to the will of God. Once we forgive, we release the offence that keeps us bound in bitterness, and at the same time, we open up the door that leads from our spirits to our souls for God’s powerful love to flood in! All it requires is faith and obedience. Keep the love of God flowing freely in your life, as you choose to forgive freely and love deeply!