When you love somebody, there is always an action. Without any actions, love does not exist. So, what exactly is love? We throw the “L” word around as an everyday word, used throughout our day. I love TV, I love my dog, I love playing soccer, but when it comes to people it should be different. However, this is a different kind of love, a love that will bring unity and change the world. So what does that word mean? If we are going to live love out genuinely, then we have to know how to do that, we have to know what real love is.
The scriptures tell us that,
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
So how do we apply that to loving others?
When you say I love you, what you really are saying is…
I will always be patient with you…
I will be kind in every way to you…
I will not be envious of you…
I will not boast and lift myself up above you…
I will not be proud and put you down…
I will always honor and respect you…
I will put you first by seeking out what is best for you…
I will not get easily angered…
I will not keep any records of wrong…
I will not delight in any evil ways…
but I will rejoice in truth with you…
I will always protect you and shield you from the enemy…
I will always trust you and never allow room for assumptions…
I will always hope for you and point you to the hope of Christ…
I will do these things all the way until the end until we meet in heaven again…
True love is selfless, putting the other persons best interest first. If we want to love somebody, then we have to be willing to do all that love is calling us to do. So next time you say you love somebody, put your name before all those characteristics and see if your actions are true love. If it is based on yourself, then it isn’t true unadulterated love, it is motivation to get what you want. We can change the world with Love because real love points to God! It isn’t easy because we battle with our selfish desires, but the more we walk with Jesus Christ, the more our lives change to reflect His True love.
