IamPaul.info - March 14, 2014
Love is More than What We Say!
1 John 4:7-12 - Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his only Son into the world that we might live through him…No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.
Love is a funny thing. We love ice cream, cars, football teams, and music groups. All of us love using the word love. But what does it really mean to love? Does saying you love someone truly mean that you do?
James tells us in James 2:17 – Faith without works is dead! In other words, it’s great to believe something, but if you never act on that belief, then who’s to say you really believe.
And when it comes to loving someone, who’s to say you really love them unless you show them with your actions.
Many years ago I was having dinner with some friends. As we ate our meal, an older lady approached us and began to talk to my friends. “I’ve been sick all week! Why haven’t you come to see me?” One of my friends responded, “Aunt Martha, we didn’t know that you were sick. Are you okay?” “I am now! But, you need to come to see me.” Aunt Martha departed as abruptly as she had arrived. We were shocked and surprised. My Friend explained to us that they usually stopped by to see their aunt once a week, but this week they were not able to. He had called to check on her a few days ago, and she never mentioned that she was sick.
I learned something important that day. It doesn’t matter how often we tell others we love them; what matters is how often we show them our love. Words are important, but actions are the proof of our words.
This is what God did for us. He did not just say, “I love you.” He showed us His love by sending His Son to die for us!!!
Real Choices:
God has already shown you His love by sending Jesus. Now it is your turn. When we love one another, all people will be able to see God through us. Who do you need to show the love of God to today?
Digging Deeper:
John 15:13 – Greater Love has no one than this, that someone to lay down his life for his friends.
Love requires sacrifices. What must you sacrifice to show God’s love to others?
“A picture is worth a thousand words…Seeing is believing…A picture never lies…Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words…” We are a very visual culture. Pictures, slide shows, paintings, and visual images communicate far more than words.
So, why should we love one another?
Because,
“No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.” --1 John 4:12
Did you catch that? “No one has ever seen God!” The next part of this verse is where things get exciting. “IF (or when) we love one another, God abides (dwells) in us and His love is perfected (or made complete) in us.” Do you see it? Did you hear what God just did?
No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, then God dwells in us. WOW! We have the ability and responsibility to help others see God! Why must we love one another? So the world can see God!
John 13:34-35, - A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." What is God saying here?... “Don’t Tell Me, Show Me!!!”