The greatest commandment we were given is to love. Love God above all else and share the love He freely gives us with others.
Love is probably the most complex emotion because it's not a feeling, though many different feelings may accompany it. And it can never truly be expressed by words; it requires action. Love is actually unrelated to your feelings. We can choose to express love regardless of the feelings we are experiencing.
We have the perfect example of what love really is. Jesus loved us so much that, regardless of the pain and sorrow He felt, regardless of whether we loved Him back, He chose to express His love for us.
Not only did Jesus reveal His perfect love for us through dying for us, but also in the way He lived for us. Everything He did, He did with His beloved people in mind. Not one decision did he make for His own good, but always for our good. He felt tired, but He still chose to serve. He felt weak or hungry, but He still chose to heal. He felt the immense pain and sorrow of the cross, but He still chose to give His life for people who didn't even accept Him.
His love is perfect in every way; it's not self-serving and keeps no record of wrongs, it's steadfast and patient and kind, never losing hope. If we look to Jesus and the way He lived His life as an example of how to love, we will be much better off than trying to love the way the world loves.
Loving like Jesus may be harder and require more sacrifice, but it's the only love that's true, and it's what we are called to as followers of Christ.
Prayer:
Lord, we ask that you would help us to follow your example and love with our actions. We ask that you would place on our hearts what we can do to better love those around us. Thank you for your unfailing love and grace. Please help us to spread your love everywhere we go. We thank you for everything you've blessed us with and ask that you would guide each step we take. In Jesus name, Amen.
Verse:
Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
1 John 3:18 NLT