When most people think of love and the Bible they usually think of 1 Corinthians 13, a fabulous chapter on how to love. But 1 John 4 has a lot to add.
"Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (7-8)
Love can be tough. It draws you in and is a complete investment. So many people see love as an emotion, something you feel. But love is so much more. Love is a decision. It is an action. It is a choice you have to make each and every day.
As children of God, we are asked to prove our love to God by showing our love to others, whether we feel like it or not. God's love is so great for us that we are to pour out that love on everyone else with whom we come into contact. If we are unable to do this, what does it show of our love and appreciation for what God has done for us.
Remember, "For God so loved the world that He sent His one and only son..."? That is how much he loves us. Don't you think that we can at least put on a happy face and be kind to the crabby lady at Walmart as a way of thanking God for His love? Don't you think we can extend grace to the friend that might have offended us? Don't you think you can pick up your husband's dirty laundry for him rather than griping at him of all the work you have to do? There are numerous amounts of ways to prove our love for Christ by showing His love to others and we are asked to do them each and every day.
Verse 20b says, "for if we don't love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see?" It is easy to say we love God, when loving Him only takes a little lip service and maybe attending church. But our love is really put to the test when we are asked to love those around us, and even some we might consider unlovable.
How can you prove that you love Christ today?
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