We’ve come a long way since “The Dating Game.” Back then one guy or gal chose from three potential dates in front of a live studio audience. And they did it in half an hour.
Today, love-themed reality shows like The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, and Ready for Love fill the television airways. Single men and women can cast their nets across dozens of online dating sites. And that’s just the beginning of the ways people today can “look for love.”
Have you looked for love in too many of the wrong places? Maybe you wonder if true, lasting love even exists. Oh yes, it does!
Real love begins with, and is defined by, God.
“God is love.” 1 John 4:8
Real love is not a warm, fuzzy feeling that fades with time. Real love is a choice. Real love is love in action.
“This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins.” 1 John 4:10
Real love is selfless and sacrificial. It is not based on the worthiness of the one being loved.
“But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
All true love begins in the heart of God. The fullest expression of His love was on the cross, but He also loves us through each other.
“No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and His love has been brought to full expression through us.” 1 John 4:12
Believers are called to love each other as God through Christ has loved us. This active, sacrificial love will show the whole world we belong to Jesus.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35
A Christian’s love for God cannot be separated from our love for fellow believers. If we love God, we will love each other. A lack of love for other Christians demonstrates a lack of love for God. 1 John 4:20-21
Have you been looking for love? It is born in the heart of God. Seek Him with all your heart. Receive His love and allow Him to express His love through you to others. In selfless action.
In what ways has God expressed His love for you through other Christians?
Loved this. Thank you
Tina, thanks for stopping by!