Love is Something We Do

Love is more than an emotion or feeling toward another person. It's the foundation of everything we do as a Christian.

Love defines our relationship with brethren and enemy alike. More importantly, it defines our relationship with God. We are saved from our sinful past because God loved the world enough to send His son to make the perfect sacrafice (John 3:16).

It's easy to love those that we're naturally drawn to. Often, family and friends are to people that we're most comfortable with. We don't mind relating with a sacrificial heart with them because often these relationships are reciprocal.

The true test comes when you're faced with an enemy. I don't mean an enemy you face on the battlefield. I'm talking about adversaries, those who oppose you and people you just don't like. Love is truly put to the test when we're faced with these people

This brings us the thought for the week:

Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a).

In Luke 6:27-36, Jesus gives us practical application of love. Godly love means doing good even to those who hate us (verses 27-28). It avoids holding a grudge or seeking revenge against those who have wronged us (verses 29-30).

Jesus says that we should treat others in the same manner we expect to be treated (verse 31). He reminds us that there's no benefit to loving someone when there's an expectation of reward. The true test comes when you act in love toward an enemy (verses 32-36).