WATCHWORD:
16 We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So, we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person? 1 John 3:16-17
4 How happy I was to meet some of your children and find them living according to the truth, just as the Father commanded. 5 I am writing to remind you, dear friends, that we should love one another. This is not a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning. 6 Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning. 2 John 1:4-6
4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. Philemon 1:4-7
The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, “I am Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. Exodus 34:6
Meditation:
What is Love?
That would seem to be a simple and rather obvious question, but I wonder. Have we redefined love in small and maybe even shabby ways? Seriously, have we thrown that word around for various personal, secular, and somewhat shady motives, maybe to get our way, or to forge a relationship that may or may not follow your heart? Or maybe to underscore something that your actions do not support.
We kick it around with phrases like “I love this music,” or “I love the food at this restaurant.” It comes out naturally and yet we don’t really mean love in the emotional or spiritual sense, we actually mean we kinda like the food, we kinda like the music, we kinda like the dog, we kinda like our car, we kinda liked this neighborhood, etc.
All that is well and good. We like those kinds of things, we favor those kinds of things but we don’t truly love those kinds of things. Now, if we truly loved those kinds of things, it seems to me, that borders on idol worship, and that would take us a step outside of Christianity. Wouldn’t it?
We are not told to love your neighbor as you love your car. Or, love one another as you love your dog. Come to think of it, for some, loving others as you love your dog, or cat, that might actually elevate their relationship with others. Hmm. It’s still idol worship.
Ah, so, is there a true meaning of love? Of course, there is. We find it throughout the Scriptures, Old and New Testament. We might think that love is an intangible. Let’s see, if your love for others causes them great joy and encouragement, they smile, and pass it on to others. That is love, that is a real thing.
Here is another part of the definition: “Love means doing what God has commanded us, and he has commanded us to love one another, just as you heard from the beginning.” Then John tells us what real love is: Real love was shown by Jesus when He gave up His life for us, and we ought to do the same for our brothers and sisters.
On a more direct level, God spoke to Moses, as reflected in Exodus. His words: “I am Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. There is your definition – Slow to anger and filled with compassion and mercy toward others. Amen.
Words on Love:
Pray for someone. Be a carrier of hope. Pause in your day to marvel at the beauty of nature, any nature. These are all fragments of love.
Closing Prayer:
Gracious Father, I need some help. I read Your words from Apostle Paul and I need Your forgiveness for my jealousy and occasional boastfulness. I know that I have demanded my way at times, please remove that from me. I have smiled when I thought someone deserved it when they suffered a set-back, forgive me. Lord, please grant me the frame of mind that loves others, does not give up in doing good. Make me ever hopeful and strengthen my endurance when faced with difficult circumstances. Finally, Lord, make me ever grateful for Your never-ending graces. In the name of Jesus Christ, I offer these prayers. Amen.
