Loving Like Jesus: The Power of Total Submission to God

As children, many of us learned the simple yet powerful song “Jesus Loves the Little Children.” But as we grew older, it seems we often failed to put its message into practice.

Jesus loves the little children,
All the children of the world.
Red and yellow, black and white,
They are precious in His sight.
Jesus loves the little children of the world.

If the words of this beloved song were truly lived out, our world would be a much calmer, more peaceful place. Jesus does love all of us—but sadly, we often fall short of loving each other as we should.

The truth is, most of us harbor preferences or biases, whether toward individuals or groups. Our love is often conditional, shaped by early influences that teach us to favor some and distrust others. This limited love stands in stark contrast to the unconditional love of Jesus.

To truly love like Jesus, we must first recognize our own weaknesses and submit ourselves fully to God's transformative power. James 4:7 (NKJV) reminds us:

“Submit yourselves therefore to God.”

True submission is rare. It requires humble surrender—laying down our will without resistance. Jesus modeled this perfectly in the Garden of Gethsemane when He prayed to the Father, fully submitting to God’s will.

Our journey of submission begins when we enter into a relationship with Jesus. As Romans 10:9 (NKJV) declares:

“If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Confessing Jesus as Lord is just the beginning. Daily surrender is required—offering ourselves to Him and trusting His path, even when it's uncomfortable or challenging. Total submission means following wherever He leads and trusting Him with the outcome.

When we live in complete submission to Christ, we are empowered to love even the most unlovable. His love, flowing through us, can break down walls of division, heal wounds, and bring peace.

A Simple Prayer
Help me today, Lord, to love like You love and to be fully submitted to You and the path You have for my life. Amen.