God showed how much He loved us by sending His one and only Son
into the world so that we might have eternal life through Him.
This is real love — not that we loved God, but that He loved us
and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.
Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we surely ought to love each other.
No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us,
and His love is brought to full expression in us.
1 John 4:9-12
Based on how much I say it, “love” must be one of my favorite words.
It punctuates every phone conversation I have with my children and it’s how I tell my husband good-night. It’s what I say when I want your shoes, see a puppy in the window, order dessert. It’s what I tell my hair dresser when she’s touched up my hair, the way I describe living in Germany, and how I’ll review a very good book.
I Love…! expresses my affections for something that matters to me, a little phrase that can mean a thousand things.
Never, however, is love more dynamic, strong, expressive or beautiful than when we hear it spoken by God.
God didn’t merely feel love for His children, He demonstrated love by His actions.
He gave His Son.
He sacrificed Himself.
He bled my redemption.
He poured out forgiveness.
He taught me how to love by example.
He empowered me to love others.
And generously, lavishly, unconditionally, God loved me first and acted on it.
Love does things but it also is (or is not) many things. The oh-so-familiar passage in 1 Corinthians 13 tells us love is–
Patient and kind.
Not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.
It doesn’t demand its own way.
It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged.
It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.
Never gives up, never loses faith
always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.
Yes, we know these things, we’ve heard them all so many times before! But, friends, how about we practice what we preach and what we profess?
Can you imagine the change in the world if we loved like Jesus?
Not just lip service, really loved like Jesus?
What if we actually loved our enemies?
What if we loved the difficult people in our lives?
What if we considered anyone outside our door, our neighbor, and loved them consistent with how we love ourselves?
What if we begin with just one person?
Today.
With real love from me to you, because He first loved me,
p.s. Would you like to win a copy of Tsh Oxenreider’s Notes From a Blue Bike? Caption this!!!
Leave a Comment
Bev Duncan @ Walking Well With God says
Robin,
I always love when you write – there’s that little word with a great big meaning! You bring refreshment to the soul as well as truth to our ears. In my recent wedding ceremony, the pastor questioned my husband and me (as well as our guests) as to what would our marriages and our lives be like if we truly tried to “out love” one another? May I always seek to out love my husband and those that God chooses to put in my path. Happy Sunday Robin!
Blessings,
Bev
Robin Dance says
Bev,
Your blog name is so fitting :). Thank you for your encouragement to out love our people! What a goal :).
Jo Hood says
Wonder expression of God’s unending love for us!
Linda@Creekside says
Robin … what a way to kick off Valentine’s Month … the theme, the call, the gift, the privilege of loving well.
I’m headed that way today, too …
http://creeksideministries.blogspot.com/2014/02/oh-beautiful-one.html
Beautiful!
Robin Dance says
Linda,
I didn’t actually mention Valentine’s Day…but I sure had that in mind :). Good for you for recognizing the natural connection as we explore the beauty of love.
Ben Perry says
There would be no more wars or poverty if we loved as God loves. Try to out love one another says it all.
Love,
Ben
shelly says
I am in the midst of leaving an abusive marriage. Last night I finally told a dear friend what has been going on in my family’s private lives, that I’m leaving, and that I’m choosing to do this with forgiveness and grace toward my husband. I could tell my approach was hard for this friend to accept.
This morning, your post said it all. Everything I couldn’t find the convincing words to say. I copied Matthew 5 46-47 and sent it to my friend, along with your words because they said it all. Perfectly.
CAN YOU IMAGINE THE CHANGE IN THE WORLD IF WE LOVED LIKE JESUS?
Not just lip service, really loved like Jesus?
What if we actually loved our enemies?
What if we loved the difficult people in our lives?
Thank you Robin.
Aimee R. says
Praying for you Shelly. In a trying and difficult situation God can and will hold you up. Praying also for peace and comfort of the Holy Spirit each and every day. Remember Jesus not only sees your tears but carries all your tears in a bottle.
Robin Dance says
Shelly,
Yours is a situation I cannot imagine, and I KNOW it’s taken incredible strength and sacrifice for you to love, leave…and forgive. It is testimony to the amazing work and power of the Holy Spirit in your life. Thank you for sharing your response, for letting me know it was timely in your life; and I’m always grateful when readers share.
My prayers are with you, sweet sister; I’m hopeful the most difficult days are behind you. xo
Beth WIlliams says
Shelly,
Prayers for peace and contentment. May God guide you each and every step of the way and cover you with His Grace, love and mercy.
Marcy says
Shelly – It’s difficult to share the path God lays out with friends when they love us but don’t understand. I experienced some circumstances that required the same sort of conversations recently and it can be lonely. Your words here were filled with grace and forgiveness and it’s easy to see that you are moving ahead in the fullness of God’s grace and providence. Your words reached deep this morning and I’ll be praying for you!
shelly says
Thank You Marcy.
karyn says
O so hard to love my enemies. O I fail fail fail so badly in this part of the new covenant. Fail completely and utterly.
For me, the, I love you, phrase, I do not use to everyone or anyone as I find it hard to love everyone. But to those that I do love, I say, I love you. I find it more meaningful and more from my heart than just lip service. I would avoid the phrase totally and turn and lose all direction in the area.
Unfortunately this is me. The real me. The honest me. So, when I say it, I mean it from the bottom of my heart.
When JESUS or my Father says They LOVE me.
I cry. I get so filled with the Holy Spirit. I get so emotional. So, out of this world and into the Presence of a HOLY God, I cry. Cos, it’s utterly heart piercing and heart breaking. To think that a HOLY God who does not need a mere filthy rag like me would actually love me though I cannot love everyone. Like …… I need this LORD JESUS. I need this ABBA Father. I need this Holy Spirit.
I shut my eyes and savour the moment.
I will post one of my favourite songs when all I can say is I love YOU I love YOU I love YOU to JESUS and to those that I love from the bottom of my heart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxsMxwzWTww
Robin Dance says
Karyn,
When we begin to catch a glimpse of the vastness of God’s love for us, you’re right: it demands a response.
Rosie says
Robin, thanks so much!
Your words filled my good sunday with much more joy. And you’re so right!
I needed to be reminded!
I have no words to describe how blessfull this post is to me!
Feel hugged and be blessed,
Rosie
Robin Dance says
Why, Rosie, I DO feel hugged :).
Aimee R. says
Practicing the patient part.. with others and myself. Got a job, been there less than two months and now the owner has quit the company and is moving away. I have a week left of work. Just feeling discouraged and down to know I will be unemployed… Again. So glad that God is in control and HE had it all worked out. Will continue to LOVE and have (try to have) a positive attitude. Prayers welcomed. Will be praying for the ones who have posted so far.
Robin Dance says
Aimee,
I AM praying for you–for you to be drawn closer to the Lord, that you sense and know his presence fully, that you’re changed as a result. Praising Him in advance for His provision for you, hopeful that you see His goodness all around. Yes, praying for peace, patience, wisdom, joy….
Beth WIlliams says
Aimee,
Prayers for healing from discouragement. Remember this : “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord”. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you”. Jeremiah 29:11. He always has and will continue to take care of and love you. God may have an even better job lined up for you!
Blessings & prayers 🙂
Daniel Zetina says
So touching. Saw a guy who punched me in my right eye and now blind in that eye and the anger that filled me was unbearable. I had to walk away and pray for strength.
Robin Dance says
Joining you in that prayer for strength.
Charmaine Wimalaratne says
You did the right thing, only you should have prayed for love and courage to forgive and the Holy Spirit would have come through for you if you were sincere. If we do not forgive others who trespass against us, our Heavenly Father even though He loves us so much cannot forgive us as His Holy Word says. Forgiveness brings healing into our own lives and if you have faith as large as a seed of mustard, I am convinced God will restore your sight. Love Charmaine
Amy says
Wonderful post. Love is not a good feeling. Love is a verb. When we grow in knowledge and experience with Love Himself we learn to love.
Robin Dance says
Amy,
I’m smiling because your second sentence could be read two ways; I read it the “wrong” way first :).
santiago says
The love of God is large, is strong, is unlimited.
Beth WIlliams says
Robin,
I just love your writing and this post in particular!
Can you imagine the change in the world if we loved like Jesus? Not just lip service, really loved like Jesus? This world would be a far better place. It is time for Christians to love each other & be forgiving of faults.
I have been and will continue to love like Jesus–love on enemies & actually pray for them! Forgive everyone as no one is perfect!!!