Love
Open Your Bible
Deuteronomy 4:31-38, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Galatians 5:6, Galatians 5:13-14, 1 John 4:7-21
BY Jen Yokel
Of all the aspects of the fruit of the Spirit, love feels like the most universal and, somehow, the most elusive. If you’ve ever tried to explain what it’s like, you know what I mean. Love can feel like analyzing every word of every conversation between meeting someone and confessing your feelings. It can feel like the comfortable silence of deep friendship. It can feel like filling your Instagram feed with pictures of a new baby, or late-night scrolling through photographic memories of a faraway friend. We write songs about it, cry while watching movies that try to portray it, maybe even try to deny it, declaring it a lie when our hearts are broken.
But Scripture tells us that the true definition of love is found in who God is. In fact, it’s one of the surest things we can know about God, a virtue greater than even faith and hope (1Corinthians 13:13). Scripture tells us “God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him” (1John 4:16).
The famous “love chapter” of 1 Corinthians 13 outlines many attributes of this love: patience, kindness, not insisting on its own way, rejoicing in truth, hoping and enduring everything. Enduring wars and disease and hatred. Outlasting empires and buildings and movements. In this litany of love’s attributes, I see the face of God. I hear God’s invitation to make ourselves at home in this love and let it transform us through the indwelling Holy Spirit.
This sort of love is nonsensical, if you think about it. It isn’t a vague, obligatory love for people who are like you, and it goes beyond the bonds of family, friends, or spouse. This love extends the circle wider and wider, transcending rational thought about who is worthy of love; it persists no matter what and in any circumstance, without condition.
The apostle Paul said, “The whole law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:14). What could that look like today, as we imitate Christ to seek the welfare of our neighbors? When we make ourselves at home in God’s transformative love, we are changed. We are empowered to join God in repairing the world, to press on and show our neighbors what we value and to whom we belong.
“You were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love” (Galatians 5:13). May it be so in us, the Holy Spirit growing love in our hearts for the flourishing of our families, our neighbors, and all of creation.
122 thoughts on "Love"
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I love that Paul reminded us that EVERYTHING good flows out of love. The whole of the law is satisfied with that one word. If you act in love, what will follow will be Godly, because God is love. We don’t have to complicate that. There is no ‘but’ that follows. I wish we would apply this to everything-our families, our child-rearing, our communities, our policies. “Justice is what love looks like in public.” C. West.
When in doubt? Choose love.
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Yes, may it be so!! “May the Holy Spirit grow love in our hearts for the flourishing of our families, our neighbours, and all of creation.” This is my prayer for all of us in 2021.
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This has been my focus over the last 6 months: showing love to others. It goes beyond what I’ve even imagined.
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This year has challenged love. When a major event like this pandemic occurs our true colors emerge. We start defining what right and wrong is. We give our own definitions to love. The physical ramifications of this are tragic, but what is more painful is the spiritual battles that have emerged. Even after our bodies are healed we will have scars of broken relationships, thoughtless comments, and wounded pride. Love is the only cure. As I look at how others aren’t showing it in their actions I’m forced to do the same with myself. Do I love without fear, do I set my freedom aside for love? God, reveal your glory through this time. Show us how to serve you in such a time as this and show me how to love as You love.
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I think it’s so important to remember that we can love others because god has loved us. 2020 is coming to an end and while I myself wish everything that occurred this year will also end, it likely will continue into 2021. The law wants one thing; for us to love our neighbors as ourselves. The world continues to change and evolve around us but that is one thing that should go unchanged. Love your neighbor, always, and through god. I love the Corinthians chapter about love because it really brings me back to the real meaning of what love is.
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So important to remember how endless his love is and how far it can reach
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What a deep conviction the Holy Spirit brought on today. Am I loving my children with patience and kindness… does resent meant and irritability to a spouse reflects Gods love in me. Does setting boundaries and giving up to “love” in laws from afar demonstrate the unrelenting love that God has demonstrated towards us that wills we were yet sinners, enemies of God- He gave us all that He had. He gave us his son. Father thank you for shaking my life in this transforming way with this bible plan. Oh God my desire is to experience TRUE change!!
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My faith and hope are guided by Love. For love is an action that guides my steps in the name of the Lord
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