If you love...

This weekend I have been really challenged on what it means to love. I say I love, but do I? Do you? We all claim to love something, from our bf/gf/spouse, to our friends or family, to our job, or even our church. Since you are reading this, I am going to ask you to be honest with yourself and let these verses challenge you. It's ok if you are missing it in the area of love because now you and you can be conscious of the way you care for people.

^"9 Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. ¹⁰ Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. "

-Romans 12:9,10

With that being said, keep in mind that the purpose of this is to really love others. This is a challenge in love and in compassion; this will hopefully challenge the way you love.

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life." 

-John 3:16

I just want to highlight the cause and effect in this passage: 'FOR GOD LOVED, SO HE GAVE.'  He gave because He loved. This seems so simple right? Like I know he loved and he gave? But my question for you is what do you love? and what do you give? We see that God gave what was most precious to Him, He gave it all. Jesus gave His life. Before you even answer the question 'What do you give?', answer this, 'Do you give?'...

In this passage we see that the purpose for giving is simply because we love. Parents provide and give to their children because they love, just as our Father has given to us.  I think we miss it. I think we miss what it truly means to love each other with genuine affection and to truly honor each other.

We were created and we are all called for love and to love. As we look at John 3:16 we see that the love God has, compelled Him to give... If you truly love someone/something, you will give everything you can to them. You will give outside of your comfort zone of giving. You will honor them and care for them with genuine affection. This is how Jesus is revealed through us.  This is being the Church, this is being a disciple, this is being a servant, this is carrying our cross, and this is being the Light of the World. 

We love, so we give. And we give out of love. You CANNOT separate the two. If you love, then it will compel you to give.

The time you give to people reveals the character of Jesus in you. When you give out of love and you show compassion, then Jesus is revealed to the world.

What do you love?

    -your bf/gf/spouse?

    -your family?

    -your friends?

    -your job?

    -your church?

    -people?
    -JESUS?

I pray that you are able to give and to give all that you can, because He first gave. God Bless!