Love:
If I asked you, “What does it mean to be a Christian,” what would you say? Many of us would follow with deep theological statements, or simply reply “it means to follow Christ in all His ways.” But in practical terms what does this mean, on the ground, where the rubber hits the road? Basically put, it means “to love.” Our Lord Jesus Christ is “love” personified. He came to save us from sin’s power and from death. He delivered us from Satan’s stronghold. He revealed to us the Kingdom of God and gave us a place everlasting within it. He declared us children of the Father, and calls us his “brother, sister, father, mother,” as the case may be (Mt 12:48). He died in our place. He rose again, ascended to Heaven, and sent His Spirit to live inside us.
And Christ gave us the Bible to show us how to love. In its pages we read stories of when “love” does not win, so that we can reflect, and it shows us when “love” does win, so that we can copy.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails,” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8.
We can’t do this in our own strength, but when we daily submit our lives to the Lord as a living sacrifice, the Holy Spirit does it for us. What a true gift love is, and it’s made for sharing.
About Pastor Julie
I’m passionate about the church – building believers up in their faith, to be all God intended them to be; and I’m passionate about sharing the love and hope of Jesus with people who don’t know Him yet.