Loving Like Jesus: Embracing Friendships with Those who Don't Believe

Understanding Spiritual Laws Beyond Religion

I will preface this article by making an admission: I am not religious. I do not follow religious laws, but I do understand and honor spiritual laws—laws that pertain to the spirit and not the flesh. When it comes to understanding these spiritual laws, there are certain fundamentals that are important to grasp so that we don't become entangled in a web of religious thoughts and expectations of ourselves or others.

As followers of Christ, we are called to love others as Jesus did. This call extends beyond our fellow believers to those who may not share our faith. It is tempting to think our mission is simply to convince others to believe in Jesus, but our higher purpose is to walk as He walked—in love, humility, and grace. Jesus did not withhold His love based on others' perceived sins, and neither should we. Our role is not to judge or condemn, but to reflect Christ's heart in all our relationships, showing His love through our actions.

Spiritual Laws and Their Relevance to Our Walk with Christ

The Bible speaks of spiritual laws—principles that govern both heaven and earth. These laws are not about religious rituals but about the deeper realities of how we interact with God, others, and ourselves. One of the most fundamental spiritual laws is found in Matthew 7:12, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." This is the essence of how we are meant to live as followers of Christ: with empathy, kindness, and fairness. How we treat others is a reflection of how we want to be treated, and this spiritual law is at the core of our relationships.

In addition to this, Jesus also taught about the power of our actions on a spiritual level in Matthew 16:19: "Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven." This spiritual law reminds us that our actions—whether they are of love, grace, or judgment—have heavenly and earthly consequences. The way we treat others, the way we forgive, and the way we love have direct repercussions in both the spiritual and physical realms.

When we intend evil or harm toward others, or judge them in ways we wouldn't want to be judged, we are working against these spiritual laws. Jesus warns us of this in Matthew 7:1-2: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." This spiritual law teaches us that the judgment we mete out to others will be returned to us. When we act in ways that are unloving, we open ourselves up to spiritual repercussions.

God Is the Judge, the Holy Spirit Convicts, and Jesus Loves

As Billy Graham wisely said, "It is the Holy Spirit's job to convict, God's job to judge, and my job to love." This powerful truth reminds us that judgment and condemnation are not our responsibilities. God alone is the Judge (James 4:12), and the Holy Spirit convicts the hearts of individuals (John 16:8). Our role is simply to love, as Jesus did.

We see this exemplified in Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman (John 4:1-26). Jesus did not judge her based on her lifestyle, but instead extended grace and love, which ultimately led to her transformation. His love, not condemnation, is what draws people closer to God.

It’s Not Condemnation, But the Grace of Jesus That Inspires Change

It is not judgment or condemnation that transforms lives; it is the grace of Jesus. When we open our hearts to Him, we invite His life-changing power into our souls. Jesus broke the curse that humanity carried from the very beginning and fulfilled death once and for all. Death is not just the end of our physical lives but the spiritual separation from God.

Romans 10:9 teaches us, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." This is the transformative power of grace: it is not about following laws or adhering to rituals, but about believing in Jesus and allowing His love to change us.

Jesus Saves in His Time, Even at the Last Moment

Even in the final moments of life, Jesus offers grace. We see this in the story of the thief on the cross in Luke 23:42-43. In his final hours, the thief recognized Jesus as Lord and asked, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." Jesus' response was one of grace: "Truly I tell you, today you will be with Me in paradise."

God’s ability to save is not limited by time or circumstance. He is the same God who conquered death, holds the keys to Hades and Death (Revelation 1:18), and rose again after paying the ultimate price for our sins. This is the power of the spiritual laws He established—the laws of grace, love, and faith.

Our Role: Bringing God's Kingdom to Earth

Ultimately, our job is to bring God’s Kingdom to Earth through love. Romans 2:4 reminds us, "God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance." It is love and kindness, not judgment, that draws people to God. Jesus gave us two great commandments: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:37-40). When we live out these spiritual laws, we reflect Christ's love to the world.

We are no longer bound by the religious laws of the past but by the spiritual laws that Jesus fulfilled. We are called to live by love, and by doing so, we bring God’s Kingdom to Earth. Let us walk as Jesus walked, demonstrating His grace and love in all our relationships, trusting in His power to transform lives in His time.

Encouraging Others to Seek the Word

Jesus has fulfilled the law, over 300 of the prophecies from the prophets. If you have not yet taken the time to explore this for yourself, I encourage you to dive into the Word of God. See for yourself how Jesus’ love transcends all barriers and how His grace transforms hearts. It is by love, not judgment, that we bring others closer to Him.