“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 NLT
Greatest Love
In the final week of Advent, we’re lighting the candle that signifies the gift of love. It’s the perfect time to reminisce and reflect on how we convey godly love. Everyday I’m thankful for the gift of love from family and friends. They care for me, surprise me, help me and show their love for me through the good and the bad. In turn, I want to do the same for them because God’s Word commands us to. He wants us to love one another just as He loves us. It was God’s ultimate love that brought Jesus to earth to live life in human form. His is the greatest love.
Living a Life of Love
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34 NIV
When Jesus made His debut over 2,000 years ago, God sent Him to be the example for living a life of love.
God has loved me through difficult times when I didn’t understand His plan [at all] and the better-than-good times that had me standing, at least for a moment, on the mountaintop. He’s loved me more than I deserve, given me grace more times than I can count and mercy when I didn’t know I needed it. He never fails me, rejoices with me, and thankfully, He keeps no records of wrong. To prove His love for me [and you], God sent His Only Son to pay the ultimate price of sacrifice and love.
The Gift of Love
Simply put, His love is like no other. It’s unconditional, perseveres, protects, trusts, hopes and delights in the truth. The love He shows me is the kind of love I have for my husband and daughter–a love that is fierce, bold and without limitations. It’s a love that is shared, honest and transparent. And everyday we work to live His truths that are found in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
His Perfect Love
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. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.God calls us to love–deeply, freely, and with commitment. It’s what He wants for us–His is the Greatest Love.
Love Others
So who do you love the most?
How do you show love to others, just like Christ loves us?
Has there been a time when you felt God’s ultimate love? How did it make a difference in your life?
Dear Jesus, I come to you with abundant hope in my heart for what You promise. Thank you for loving me when I’m at my best and my worst. Your unconditional love, grace and mercy lingers in my soul and gets me through the tough stuff when I falter. Help me to love others in that same way. In Your Precious Name. Amen.
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