Love Is
“My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” John 15:12-13
Insight
If you are anything like me, you read these words and whole heartedly agree with what they say. You also read them and feel slightly overwhelmed at what it means to live them out. Most of us will not be in a situation where we literally have to give up our lives, but all of us have hundreds of opportunities throughout our day to love as this verse says, by putting others above ourselves.
A friend of mine forwarded me a list of 23 “Love is” statements that were written by Paul Tripp a few years ago. I want to share a few that have stuck with me.
LOVE IS being willing to have your life complicated by the needs and struggles of others without impatience or anger.
LOVE IS actively fighting the temptation to be critical and judgmental toward another while looking for ways to encourage and praise.
LOVE IS speaking kindly and gently, even in moments of disagreement, refusing to attack the other person’s character or assault their intelligence.
LOVE IS the willingness to make regular and costly sacrifices for the sake of a relationship without asking for anything in return or using your sacrifices to place the other person in your debt.
LOVE IS refusing to be self-focused or demanding, but instead looking for specific ways to serve, support, and encourage, even when you are busy or tired.
That is intense love. Now read the list again but through the lens of how God loves you.
God sees my struggles with grace, without impatience or anger. He sees the best in me and has given the ultimate sacrifice even though I have done nothing to deserve it. He demands nothing from me, yet He invites me into a relationship and loves me just as I am. God tells us to love others as He loves us. When I take time to see and experience His deep love for me, why would I not want the world to know this kind of love?
I have a few of those statements written in prominent places so when I am excusing my behavior or lasered in on my own concerns, I can be reminded to look to those around me and give of myself as God has given Himself for me.
Reflection
Re-read the love statements from Paul Tripp. Which statement do you find hardest to reflect?
Prayer
God thank you for loving me. Thank You for being patient and slow to anger, for sacrificing and serving me even when I have turned away so many times. I pray that you would cultivate in me a heart that loves as You love me. Help me to see others as You see me Lord and help me to see beyond the bubble of my own concerns. Amen.
Katie Robinson, Children's Ministry Home Coordinator, wrote today's devotional.
