Before the New Year, God to told me to study on walking in love. I did a word search on eSword and came up with an extensive list (it’s an important subject!). I divided up the verse by categories and came up with “Live Love” but with a smaller list of verses so my readers wouldn’t get overwhelmed! I hope your 2018 is filled with the love of God as you choose to walk in it!
When we think of the word “love,” we usually get a warm feeling inside. We think of love in a positive way, as love is portrayed – in most cases – as something good. Marriage is based on love. Parenting is based on love. Missions and outreach is based on love – or at least it should be.
Unfortunately love in our culture has become a broad description of many things. We “love” Italian food. We “love” our new sports car. We “love” our jobs. According to the Word of God, however, this form of love is not true love. This is a pleasant feeling or “like” toward something. This “like” ends when the newness or emotion of it fades over time.
True love is not based on emotions. It is based on a choice to put others before ourselves, regardless of how we feel. It’s deeper, more valuable, and more lasting than what any definition of love could be.
What Is Love?
While the world may define love as warm, fuzzy feelings toward another human being, or perhaps even their pet, the Word’s definition is not “what” but “Who.” God is love.
(1John 4:8 KJV) He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
(1John 4:16 KJV) And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
Where Is Love?
God not only is love but He has placed that love in our hearts the moment we were saved. We don’t need to strive to walk in love; it is right there in us if we’ll just let it guide us!
(Romans 5:5 KJV) And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
(Galatians 5:22 KJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith . . .
God Loves Us
The glorious thing about Love is that Love loves us! It’s not just that Love exists; but Love has extended His nature toward us – even when we didn’t deserve it!
(John 15:9 KJV) As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
(John 17:26 KJV) And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.
(Romans 5:8 KJV) But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
To be continued…
Christa Madrid 