Love Is...

1 John 4: 7-16

It was wonderful to see so many of you on Friday morning!  We had an informative and reformative talk about LOVE.

In today's language, we often use the word 'love' to strongly agree with someone or some idea, to express gratitude, to express how much we like something or someone, as in 'loving a song, a pop star, an activity, I love my new TV', etc.  We use the word 'love' a lot!  But are these emotional responses really Love?

In 1 John 4:7-16, we learn that love is not necessarily an emotion.  Through our discussion of the passage and the questions in the study guide, we came to the idea that Love is a choice, a decision that we make to think and act a certain way.  It is sacrifice, it is unconditional, it is never-ending, it is freely given.  I trust those of you following along on your own via the blog came to that same conclusion.  How do you feel about about this definition of Love?

"Love comes from God.... for God is love" 1 John 4:7-8.  God is our example of how we should love others.  And when we love each other, God lives in us (1 John 4:11).  I think this is one of the best ways to evangelize in our everyday lives.  When others are closed to hearing the Gospel with their ears, they can't help but see how we love and live in love.  For those who cannot understand the concept of what God had done for them  (1 John 4:9), a door may be opened when we love them with the same love that God shows us: sacrificial, unconditional, never-ending love.  

When we cook for others, we show God's love.  When we help those in need, we show God's love.  When we love our families and friends unconditionally, we show God's love.  When we show kindness to a stranger, we show God's love.  When we welcome everyone, we show God's love.  When we pray, we show God's love.   When we choose to follow God's example of Love, "his love has been brought to full expression through us." (1 John 4:12).

How will you show God's love in your life?

Your Partner in Ministry,
Shelly