What Does Love Really Mean
Can you guess one of the most important aspects to the Christian faith? You guessed it! It’s love! In order for a person to really grow in their faith and in their relationship with God they need to begin acting in love. So we’re going to to learn how love is applied to our lives as Christian’s. Why is it important? What does love look like? When is love necessary?
Why is Love Important
Love is important because it is the foundation of who God is. Therefore, as Christians, it is the foundation of what our character should be. 1 John 4: 7-8 says, “beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love (ESV).” “God is love.” Since our goal should be to be like God; then we need to act in love continuously.
All of God’s commandments are made with love in mind. Each commandment teaches us to either love others, love ourselves, or to love God. Romans 13: 8-10 says, “Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that Loveth another hath fulfilled the law. for this, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law (KJV).”
Also, Jesus says in Mathew 22: 37-40, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, thou shalt love thy neighbor as as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets (KJV).”
What does love look like
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8 says, “love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always preserves. Love never fails (NIV).”
Romans 12: 9-21, “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the lord; rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the need of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not be wise in your own opinion. Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, ‘vengeance is mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. Therefore, ‘ If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (NKJ).”
So again, what does love look like?
When you see someone is in need and you reach out to help them, that’s love. When you’re at odds with somebody and you choose to do good to them instead of getting personal or acting in contempt towards them, you’re acting in love. If you decide not to gossip about others and when you think of other people’s interest over yourself, those are examples of love as well.
Other examples can be, choosing to step out in faith and do something that the Lord asked you to do, worshipping God even when things aren’t going your way, and even loving yourself and respecting the sabbath to give yourself rest. There are so many ways to act in love every day! What other examples can you think of?
When is Love Necessary
ALL. THE. TIME.
It is always necessary to love! Remember that God is love. As we grow in our faith and begin building a relationship with Him, love becomes a natural part of our character. That doesn’t mean that it’s always easy to do because, lets face it, we’re all human and we all make mistakes. However, we need to strive to act in love in our daily lives. Everyone needs to be able to see God through us. In our actions, in our speech, in our appearance. We are the only seeable, tangible, hearable representation of God on this earth. Not enough Christians realize the responsibility that we have to show everyone just who God is.
So remember this today and try to continue it tomorrow… and the next day, and the next day! Because God loves you! He loves you so much that He died for you and all of mankind. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (KJV).” So if God died for us, we should live for Him!
If you aren’t already a follower of Jesus and want to be, all you need to do is say a simple prayer and give your life to him today. Just say this prayer and believe it in your heart.
Dear Jesus, I realize that I am in need of a savior. I believe that you died for me and with the blood you shed I can be redeemed. I accept you into my heart and ask you to be my Lord and savior. Please forgive me of all of the sins that I have committed in my life. Cleanse me and renew me. In your name Jesus I pray, amen.
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