Loving people like Jesus isn't just about what we say we believe. It's about how we treat the people God places in our lives.
It's easy to say we love others. It's much harder to demonstrate that love when someone interrupts our plans, tests our patience, disagrees with us, or needs something we weren't prepared to give.
Yet Jesus never called us to a faith that exists only in our words.
He called us to a faith that changes how we live.
At Philippians234, our mission is simple:
KNOW JESUS. BECOME LIKE JESUS. LOVE PEOPLE LIKE JESUS.
But what does loving people like Jesus actually look like in everyday life?
The good news is that we don't have to do something extraordinary to make a meaningful difference. Often, the greatest opportunities to show Christlike love are found in ordinary moments.
Here are seven practical ways we can begin.
Featured Scripture: John 13:34–35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
— John 13:34–35 (NIV)
Jesus didn't say people would recognize His followers by how much Scripture they could quote, how often they attended church, or how impressive their accomplishments were.
He pointed to something much more personal.
The way we love one another.
That should cause us to examine how our faith shows up in our relationships, conversations, and daily decisions.
1. Listen to Understand, Not Just to Respond
One of the simplest ways to love someone is to give them our full attention.
We live in a world filled with distractions. Phones buzz, schedules fill up, and our minds are often focused on whatever comes next.
Sometimes, even when someone is speaking to us, we're already thinking about what we're going to say.
But genuine listening communicates something important:
You matter. Your story matters. I'm here with you.
James 1:19 reminds us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.
Jesus consistently took time to notice and engage with people. He didn't treat them as interruptions.
He treated them as individuals who mattered.
Put it into practice: The next time someone shares something difficult with you, put your phone away. Resist the urge to immediately offer advice. Ask a thoughtful question and give them room to speak.
Sometimes, loving someone looks like simply being present.
2. Encourage Someone Who Is Struggling
We don't always know what people are carrying.
The coworker who seems unusually quiet.
The friend who hasn't reached out in a while.
The parent who's overwhelmed.
The person who smiles at church but is privately walking through a difficult season.
A few sincere words of encouragement can mean more than we realize.
First Thessalonians 5:11 tells believers to encourage one another and build each other up.
Encouragement doesn't require a perfect speech or an answer to every problem.
Sometimes it's a message that says, “I've been thinking about you.”
Sometimes it's reminding someone that they aren't alone.
Sometimes it's recognizing an effort that no one else seems to notice.
Put it into practice: Reach out to one person today with no agenda other than encouraging them. Be specific about what you appreciate or let them know you're available if they need someone to talk to.
We may never fully know how much someone needed those words.
3. Serve Without Expecting Recognition
This one can be challenging.
It's natural to want people to notice our efforts, appreciate our kindness, or acknowledge what we've done.
But Jesus showed us a different kind of service.
In John 13, He washed His disciples' feet—an act of humility that challenged their understanding of greatness and leadership.
He demonstrated that love is willing to serve, even when the task seems small or unimportant.
Philippians 2:3–4 calls us to put aside selfish ambition and consider the interests of others.
That means learning to serve because someone has a need, not because we want attention.
Put it into practice: Find one way to help someone this week without announcing it, posting about it, or expecting anything in return.
Maybe it's helping with a task, delivering a meal, offering a ride, or taking care of something that would lighten another person's burden.
Love doesn't become less meaningful when nobody sees it.
In fact, some of our most genuine acts of service may be the ones that receive no recognition at all.
Related reading: Living with Humility and Serving Others Like Jesus — Philippians 2:3–4
4. Choose Patience When It's Easier to Become Frustrated
Loving others like Jesus sounds wonderful until someone tests our patience.
A family member says something hurtful.
A driver cuts us off.
A coworker makes the same mistake again.
Someone disagrees with us, and we feel the urge to prove we're right.
These are the moments when our character is revealed.
First Corinthians 13:4 begins its description of love with a simple truth:
“Love is patient, love is kind.”
Patience doesn't mean pretending that harmful behavior is acceptable. It doesn't mean avoiding necessary conversations or refusing to establish healthy boundaries.
It means choosing how we respond rather than allowing frustration to control us.
Put it into practice: When you feel yourself becoming irritated, pause before responding. Ask yourself, “Will my next words reflect the character of Jesus?”
We won't get this right every time.
But every difficult interaction is an opportunity to practice the kind of love we're called to demonstrate.
5. Forgive Others and Let Go of the Need to Get Even
Forgiveness is one of the most difficult expressions of love.
When someone hurts us, our natural response may be to withdraw, hold onto resentment, or hope they experience the same pain they've caused.
But Jesus calls us toward forgiveness.
Ephesians 4:32 teaches us to be kind and compassionate, forgiving one another as God forgave us in Christ.
Forgiveness doesn't mean the hurt wasn't real.
It doesn't require us to ignore wrongdoing, immediately rebuild trust, or remain in an unsafe relationship.
And it doesn't always happen in a single moment.
Sometimes forgiveness is a process that requires prayer, wisdom, and time.
But choosing not to nurture bitterness is an important part of becoming more like Jesus.
Put it into practice: Think about a relationship where resentment may be affecting your heart. Ask God to help you take a healthy step toward forgiveness, whether that means praying, seeking wise counsel, or having an honest conversation when appropriate.
We can pursue forgiveness while still maintaining necessary boundaries.
6. Notice the People Others Overlook
One of the things I love about the ministry of Jesus is how often He noticed people others passed by.
He showed compassion to those who were sick, rejected, grieving, or treated as unimportant.
He didn't measure a person's worth by their status, appearance, or what they could offer Him.
He saw people.
And that challenges me.
How often do we move through our day so focused on our responsibilities that we overlook someone who needs kindness?
Maybe it's the person eating alone.
The employee who rarely receives a thank-you.
The neighbor who seems isolated.
Or someone whose struggles aren't immediately visible.
Romans 12:10 calls us to honor one another above ourselves.
That kind of honor begins with recognizing the dignity and value of every person.
Put it into practice: Be intentional about noticing someone you might normally pass by. Learn their name. Start a conversation. Offer genuine appreciation. Ask how they're doing—and take time to hear the answer.
You don't have to solve every problem to make someone feel seen.
Sometimes, acknowledging a person with genuine kindness is a meaningful first step.
SEE THE ONE.
That's more than a phrase for us at Philippians234.
It's a reminder to slow down and recognize the people God places in our path.
7. Pray for Others—and Be Willing to Act
Prayer is a powerful way to love others.
When someone shares a burden, praying for them is an expression of care and dependence on God.
But sometimes we can also use prayer as a substitute for taking action when we're able to help.
James 2:15–17 challenges believers to consider what it means to see someone in need, offer kind words, but do nothing to address their practical circumstances.
Our faith should move us toward compassionate action.
That doesn't mean we're responsible for meeting every need.
It means being willing to ask whether God has given us an opportunity to do something helpful.
Put it into practice: When someone asks for prayer, pray for them—and consider whether there's a practical way you can support them.
Could you bring a meal?
Help with transportation?
Make a phone call?
Offer childcare?
Sit with them during a difficult appointment?
Sometimes the answer will be simply to pray and remain available.
Other times, loving someone like Jesus means allowing our prayers to lead us into action.
Loving Others Begins with Becoming More Like Jesus
As I think about these seven practices, I'm reminded that loving people like Jesus isn't something we accomplish once and then check off a list.
It's an ongoing part of spiritual growth.
There will be days when we're patient, compassionate, and generous.
And there will be days when we fall short.
I know I still have moments when selfishness, frustration, or pride gets in the way.
But following Jesus isn't about pretending we've already become everything He's calling us to be.
It's about continuing to surrender our hearts to Him and allowing His love to shape the way we live.
First John 3:18 gives us a meaningful reminder:
“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”
Love isn't merely a feeling or a statement.
It's a choice we make visible through our actions.
And sometimes, that choice is made in the smallest moments of our day.
Reflection Questions
Before moving on, take a moment to consider:
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Which of these seven ways of loving others is most challenging for me right now?
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Is there someone in my life who needs more patience, encouragement, or compassion from me?
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Am I serving others because I genuinely care, or because I want recognition?
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Who is one person I can intentionally show the love of Jesus to this week?
We don't need to wait for the perfect opportunity to begin.
We can start with the people already around us.
A Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for loving us with patience, grace, mercy, and compassion.
Help us become more like Jesus in the way we treat others.
Teach us to listen with understanding, encourage those who are struggling, and serve without seeking recognition.
Give us patience when relationships are difficult and wisdom as we work through forgiveness.
Open our eyes to the people we might otherwise overlook.
And help us remember that our faith should be reflected not only in what we say, but also in how we love.
May the people we encounter experience Your kindness through our words and actions.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
SEE THE ONE.
At Philippians234, we believe that following Jesus should influence every part of our lives—not just what happens on Sunday, but how we treat people throughout the week.
Our mission is:
KNOW JESUS. BECOME LIKE JESUS. LOVE PEOPLE LIKE JESUS.
We may not be able to help everyone.
We may not always know the right thing to say.
And we certainly won't get everything right.
But we can choose to be intentional about loving the person in front of us.
One conversation.
One act of kindness.
One opportunity to serve.
One person at a time.
❤️ SEE THE ONE.
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