Reflection of Love
John 13:34-35 NIV
“Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples—when they see the love you have for each other.”
What is Love? We talk about it all the time but do we really know it’s true meaning? We use it abundantly to express how we feel; I love pizza, I love that movie, I love the beach and don’t forget the one we all “love”, I love you. As believers, the Bible defines love in 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Therefore, the greatest example of love is Jesus Christ when he selflessly without hesitation accepted our sins, suffered and died on our behalf. This is true love! John 15:13 confirms, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” That’s exactly what Jesus did for us. He put His love into action and in doing so He gave us life. This life comes directly from God and through the intentional reckless love of Jesus Christ. In John 15:9, He guides us, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.” We come to know and understand this love deeply by staying near the very heart of Jesus. Now this love which we receive becomes ours to act out. This is why Jesus commands us in John 13:34 “Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another.” We do this by choosing to step out and help others. Love is not just a feeling, it is a choice to purposely invest our time in the well being of those around us. In this choice we allow Gods love to flow through us into their lives. It could be as simple as praying for others well being, choosing to forgive someone who did you wrong or going out of our way to lift another person up (even if it lowers you). This love may not always be comfortable but we do it any way. This is the love of the Father. This is the Love of Christ within us. Living this way will reveal our true authentic identity as His! Live out your life as His and demonstrate it through your love! Choose to Love!
