God is Love
Love others. It sounds simple but really it isn’t simple. We all have different backgrounds, experiences, personalities and perspectives. So loving others can look different from one person to the next.
Jesus is the the ultimate example. He is the one we are to reflect. How do we do this?
Love Others
We are called to love others with the love of Jesus, not with our understanding of what love is but with God’s understanding of what love is. Love can be tainted and viewed through an individual’s filter that gives the perspective from life experiences instead of through the pure and true love that was intended for them. It’s so important that we ask God to reveal His love to us and to help us reflect His love. This love is the fruit that only comes from His Spirit.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. This is my command: Love each other.”
– John 15:7-17 NIV
Encounter God’s Love
I have encountered God’s love by pursuing Him, serving His people, reading the Bible, worshiping Him, but most of all spending time with Him and praying. He is our friend and our Lord. We must spend time with Him to know Him.
Love to some is just a word but God’s love is a deep love that satisfies the soul. God’s love is patient, 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, and it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, and always perseveres. It’s a love that never fails. This is the love that I am called to. It is real. It sets people free, brings peace and an everlasting joy. God is love.
Love Him With All Your Heart
Many have never experienced God’s love. Are you one of those? Would you like to? Put God first and love Him with all your heart, soul and mind and in return God will love on you and transform you and make you in His likeness. Then from His love that is poured into you can be poured back out onto loving others. This love is a pure love that only comes from Him. Pursue Him and call on His name. That name is Jesus and He loves you.
“Jesus replied: Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
– Matthew 22:37-40