Love – that one word possesses great power. When a couple first releases that word into their vocabulary, it changes the dynamic of their relationship. On the other hand, when someone you care for tells you they no longer love you, it could impact your life for years. Unfortunately, this word has been misunderstood many times. Our world sees love as a souped-up version of lust, but that's not what God created love to be, and it's not the example He has shown us.

1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
NKJV

Love is not morality or religion. It's not something else to put on your to-do list. Instead, love is our motivation, seen ideally in our Lord. In short, love is Jesus. In every second of His life on earth, Jesus was love, perfectly demonstrating it. From his healing of the sick and feeding the hungry to His correction of the Pharisees, Jesus' end goal was love. You could do all the good deeds in the world, but without love, they would be like a string of zeros – meaning nothing. Jesus loved others because He loved the Father. The same is true with us. As we love our Heavenly Father, we will be able to love others, even those whom we feel may not be that lovable.

Life Lesson: Love is the perfection of human character.

Dear God,
Thank You for Your love. Because of Your love for me, I have forgiveness of sins and hope of Heaven. Father, fill me with Your Spirit and help me to love as You love. Make me more like Jesus so that I can share Your grace and mercy with those around me. Use me today to show love. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Living to tell what He died to say,
Pastor David McGee

Senior Pastor
The Bridge
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