"I love you" is one of the most longed-for and cherished phrases of all times. Those three little words are profoundly powerful; life changing in magnitude. However, real love is extended and experienced through action; not by the mere expression, "I love you." Of utmost importance is the fact that all believers have a mandate to love. Real love begins with an act of will; we are to choose to love.
Real love is the essence of the great commandment that Jesus taught of in Matthew 22:37-39. When questioned as to which is the great commandment, Jesus answered, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Real love can be witnessed. It can be seen; it is love in action. Long ago, in Old Testament times, the LORD said, "I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself." (Jeremiah 31:3 NLT) And, in the New Testament, in Romans 5:8, Paul, an apostle of Jesus, stated, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
Chapters 14 and 15 of the Book of John are replete with examples of love in action.
- If you love Me obey my commandments. (14:15)
- All who love Me will do what I say. (14:23)
- Remain in My love. (15:9)
- When you obey My commandments, you remain in My love just as I obey My Father's commandments and remain in His love. (15:10)
Jesus' mandate, "This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you." We can know real love, and what it looks like, acts like, because Christ died for us. To esteem others above yourself, to put them first, is the exemplification of real love.
And to God be the glory!
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