The world can feel overwhelming at times. We feel it everywhere, whether it’s on the news, social media, in our homes or even our workplaces.
In my opinion, there’s no better time to love others than now – and the best person ever to show us how to love is Jesus.
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Matthew 22:36-40
How does this apply to work? Does this passage include the people with whom we work?
Most of us compartmentalize our faith. We talk about secular versus spiritual aspects of our lives, and secular versus spiritual vocations, music, and businesses. Secular means “without God.” There is no part of life or creation where God is not. There is no part of life that God wants you to do on your own. He wants to be in all aspects of life – work included; in every relationship – co-workers, bosses, clients and vendors. Does this passage include the people you interact with at work? You bet it does!
What kind of love is this?
The love we’re talking about has nothing to do with romance. It’s the love that Jesus modeled and taught, and it actually requires us to let go of expecting anything at all in return. 1 John 4:19 says, “We love because He first loved us.” That’s the reason – no other reason is needed.
This form of love is “agape” love in Greek – the original language of the New Testament.
Source:https://christianity.about.com/od/glossary/a/Agape.htm
Agape Love is defined as “selfless, sacrificial, unconditional love, the highest of the four types of love in the Bible.”
- It is a love based on behaviors and choices, not feelings and emotions.
- It is a love that chooses to bring God into our work, depend on Him and credit Him with our achievements (John 15:5).
- It is a love that worships God through our work by working with all our heart no matter what we’re doing (Colossians 3:23).
- And it is an unconditional love that actively seeks the benefit of everyone we encounter through our work (yes, even the difficult ones).
Love matters at work because it honors God and brings His light into difficult places. Just imagine what your workplace would look like if every Christian loved God and others through their work. Do you think that might spill over to the rest of the world? Just imagine!
Learn more about how to love at work through our new Workmatters Study, Jesus: Love at Work.
