What is love? Love is an action verb. We cannot merely verbalize love without showing love. Now, our minds and past experiences may have distorted the true definition of love, but the scriptures provide clarity.
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” -1 Corinthians 13: 4-7
How can we walk in love? We can walk in love by knowing God and surrendering to Holy Spirit’s work within us; this is accomplished by maintaining a close relationship with God. God is love; so one cannot love without knowing Him as He is the One who embodies love, the One who loved us first so that we can love others, the One who loves us unconditionally. Secondly, our carnal nature and flesh prohibit us from fully walking in God’s love (Galatians 5: 16&17). Therefore, we must surrender to Holy Spirit’s transformative power within our hearts and minds so that we can witness the manifestation of love from within us. As children of God, we are mandated to love (Galatians 5:14).
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!” -Galatians 5:22&23
“Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” -1 John 4: 7&8
“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other, but let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.” -1 John 3:18
How can one “earn” God’s love? As mentioned above, love is a manifestation of knowing God and the working of Holy Spirit within us. So God’s love cannot be earned as He loves us freely and unconditionally.
“For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” -John 3: 16
Does God really love me, even after I’ve messed up or committed a terrible sin? Yes He does!
“But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead.” -Ephesians 2: 4&5
“And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 8:38&39
Does God’s love give me a “pass” to sin and live how I desire to live? No it doesn’t! We must strive to live righteous lifestyles.
“Do what is right and good in the Lord’s sight, so that it may go well with you.” -Deuteronomy 6:18
“Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness and honor.” -Proverbs 21:21
Real Talk with Keve 