Love is a word that means different things to different people in different contexts. Generally, it is an affection for something that gives pleasure (Chambers Concise Dictionary). The Bible personifies love as God; “God is love” (1 John 4:16). This means that any meaning we give to love that is out of sync with the character and nature of God is off chart. We must define and understand love as God defines and describes it. The Bible teaches in 1 Corinthians 13 that anything I do for God and humanity must be done in love. Otherwise, it is vain and unacceptable. Love is an attribute of God that will never end, and we are to live it out here on earth through kind thoughts and deeds toward all people who are made in God’s image. Love is not passive, so we are commanded to “Love the Lord your God: … ‘Love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:30, 31). “… add to your faith … love” (1Pet. 1:5, 7). “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love” (1 John 4:8). But the fruit of the Spirit is love … (Gal. 5:22). How are you living your life of love, and who are you reaching out to today?
