Our god is love. 1st John chapter 4 says much about that topic. And the Bible goes on to say so much on the topic that it would be hard to say it all here in just one devotional post. But I will try to do the matter justice while being brief enough that you do not fall asleep.
You might think that if I am going to be talking about love from a Biblical perspective, I will quote 1st Corinthians 13, but I am going to leave reading that up to you.
John 13: 34-35 – “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
Jesus here was not actually giving a new commandment, because God had already said we are to love our neighbor the way we love ourselves in Leviticus 19:18. Jesus was saying that if we love others the way Christ loves us, it will be so revolutionary that it could bring non-believers to seeking Jesus, and it is this type of love that should be the mark of a faithful Christian.
Romans 12: 9-10 – Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Here we see love in action. When one is putting other people before themselves, sincerely, and not with an ulterior motive, we see a person who is loving the way God loves.
Ephesians 4: 2-3 – Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Loving in this way is not always going to be easy, and may take some intentional effort.
1 John 3:14 – We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.
While this type of love may be sacrificial, it is certainly in our best interest.
1 John 3: 17-18 – If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
Anybody can talk a good game, and certainly most people do. But the time for real truth telling is when we are faced with a chance to take action. In that moment, will we decide to put self, or others first?
Colossians 3:14 – And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Whatever we do, no matter how kind or giving, if we are doing it with out love for the person or people, our true motives will bleed through. But if we love, then all these other acts of kindness become a natural side effect of our hearts.
And they will know we are Christians by our love.
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