Knowing how much God loves you is the beginning of loving others. Believing that God loves you so much makes you love Him and others. ” We love Him because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19 KJV). You can’t give what you don’t have.
Identifying God’s unconditional love for me is the key to growing into a loving person. So how and how much do you love God and others? Let’s take a look.
1. With all your heart, soul, mind & strength (Matthew 22:37; Luke 10:27)
The first and great commandment is the love of God. Love Him in the most sincere and perfect manner without hypocrisy.
2. As one loves himself (Matthew 22:39)
Our souls and bodies are so special to us and the way we take good care of them is the same we have to do for our brethren.
3. Exceedingly (Psalm 119:167)
Loving God is not only by mouth but also obeying His word and keeping His commandments.
4. As Christ loves us (John 15:12)
Love each other with the same affection Christ has for us.
5. Enough to lay down life for others (John 15:13)
John 15:13 indicates a kind of love (i.e. greater love) that no man has and that love is to lay down down his life for a friend. These words show how to extend love towards one another – by laying down our lives.
6. Without hypocrisy (Romans 12:9)
Showing genuine affection and not love with a mask. As sincere Christians, we are to exemplify genuine and true love. This is possible by abhorring what is evil and clinging to what is good.
7. By the Holy Ghost (2 Corinthians 6:6)
By the influence of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit influences our feelings.
8. Insincerity (2 Corinthians 8:8)
Abounding in love towards the poor. We cannot love without giving. We love not only in word or tongue but also in deed and in truth. Apostle Paul was comparing the church of Macedonia to the church of Corinth in that the Macedonians gave so much even in their poverty. This for me is a kind of giving we all must learn from.
9. By service to one another (Galatians 5:13)
We’ve been given freedom to serve one another in love. We are no longer under the bondage of sin but has been freed from the enslavement of sin. If we have to be a slave then it should be a slave to righteousness (Romans 6:15-16)
10. Forbearing one another (Ephesians 4:2)
Overlooking the weaknesses in others and bearing with their infirmities in order not to cease loving them. Lending a helping hand when needed especially in difficult moments.
11. With a pure heart fervently (1 Peter 1:22)
Having intense affection and loving with a genuine heart.
12. As brethren (Romans 12:9; 1 Peter 3:8)
Christians love towards each other should be sincere, free from pretence and deceit. Hate what is wrong and stand on the side of the good.
13. Not in word but in deed (1 John 3:18)
Actions they say speaks louder than words. There should be a real proof of love towards brethren. The saints were serving one another, by bearing one another’s burdens, forgiving one another and praying for each other. Love shouldn’t be only verbal but evidence. Let there be something to show for your love towards each other.
14. Without fear (1 John 4:18)
There is no fear in love because perfect love drives out fear. Fear only hath torment and depresses the spirit but love overcomes every fear.
The King's Daughters 