Devotions: What Love Really Is

 

We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

1 John 3:16 New American Standard Bible 1995

 

True love: it is something our society is obsessed with. It is said to be the most wonderful and powerful thing in the world. Unfortunately, the world doesn’t know what true love really is. Yes, real love is more powerful and wonderful than anything, but it is not lovey, dovey emotion. We know what love is because God is love, and He showed His love by dieing to save us from our sin. True love is sacrifice. Jesus said that there is no greater love than giving one’s life for another. The world’s definition of love is more accurately titled affection. It is a feeling that can change, but true love is an action, a choice, a commitment. Jesus demonstrated His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, He died for us. That was before we believed in or even wanted Him. It was while we were His enemies. That is real love. His love is so great that He died for people who hated Him, and forgave those who rejected, tortured and killed Him. True love gives no thought to self, but does what is best for another. Notice that says what is “best” not “what they want.” Allowing or helping someone to do something that is wrong or harmful in any way is not love. Jesus died to save us from sin. Doing something He hates and died to save us from does not show love for God, and supporting someone in doing those things does not show love for them. Before we can love others, we need to know what love is, and in order to know what love is we need to know God and His truth because God is love.

God wants us to be like Him, which means emulating His love. Once we know God and know the truth about Him and His love, then we can and should show that love toward others. Of course that does not mean that we have to die in order to show people we love them, though that may be required at some point. Laying down one’s life simply means to put others first, to think of them before self, to consider others as more important ourselves. Of course I am not condoning abuse, for this could be taken too far in allowing that behavior. Again, love is doing what is best and right. It is not love to allow mistreatment. We need to focus on what love truly is and living that out.

Do you know God personally? Do you know His truth? Do you understand what love really is? Ask God to reveal Himself and His truth to you. Ask Him to help you live out love in a godly way to everyone around you.

 

 

 

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