How would you define love? Is love a verbal expression, an act of kindness, or a gift extended to another? Is love being willing to do what you do not enjoy in order to benefit someone else? Is love a natural flow from a heart that is full?
- “‘A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.'” John 13:34 (NIV)
- “‘By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.'” John 13:35 (NIV)
- “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (NIV)
- “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” 1 John 4:8 (NIV)
- “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10 (NIV)
- “We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19 (NIV)
Jesus is the model to follow. Jesus defined love by His willingness to die for the church and to rise again for the church. He gave His life so that we could live with Him eternally and love others intentionally. Jesus is the ultimate portrait of unconditional love.
How are your primary relationships? Do those closest to you feel loved the most by you? Think about the adjustments that you need to make in order to better communicate love to them.
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor