Photo from: www.playbuzz.com
What does it mean to love the one who defines love?
Love was in the mind of the one who thought up and foreknew all that is. His voice boomed with love when He spoke all into being.
From the first sin of man to the day His perfect (all-loving!) son was rejected and crucified, even separated from God, love was at work. Even after that, after He was denied, abandoned, and all that He said that no man could have possibly known came true, His return was filled up and overflowing with love.
He showed His love for us by dying in our stead and rising again, even while we were His enemies.
Before and after that, the Lord’s love has also:
Been patient. Bearing with us through endless sinning and rejection and idolatry and selfishness (see: the entire Old Testament!)
Been kind. Giving every good gift, blessing us with His presence, peace, and an ability to live a righteous life.
Not envied, not boasted, not been proud, with the Lord Lording over us His perfection and power. Even when He has been jealous for us, He has done nothing to force us back to Him.
Has not dishonored anyone or been self-seeking. Has not been easily angered. He keeps no record of wrongs– offering for free to wipe all record of our sin and look on the sacrificial lamb of Christ instead!
His Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. So much so that all that is hidden, all we feel ashamed of, He redeems.
God’s love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. HIS Love never fails.
Familiar? That’s 1 Corinthians 13. That’s the example God has given us of what it is to love.
And He says to us in Matthew 22:
“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.”
His commandments are not impossible. Spoken and given in perfect love, the commands encompasses all others. It is as kind, patient, and compassionate as the command a parent gives their child to stay out of the road or to eat their meal. When we obey this loving command to love, we thrive. We follow God’s way –the best way.
God’s whole person is bound up in that greatest commandment –that greatest way of being. And isn’t that what all our heart, mind, and soul mean? That our whole being is to be like His by being composed wholly of love?
Think about that: to love God, we have to follow His example. Because His example is love and there is no love apart from the love He creates, defines, and exemplifies. So by loving like God loves, we love God. His love is the standard set, even for loving Him.
If you want to love God, turn your thoughts to the thoughts He has taught us. Turn your mind to the mind of Christ. Shift your heart to align with His. No greater joy is found, no greater love given or received, than to wholly give up oneself to be His.
This post is being shared on: #LifeGivingLinkup #TestimonyTuesday, #RaRaLinkup, #Intentionally Pursuing, #WomenWithIntention, and #TellHiStory.
This is the second thing I have read today about the greatness of God’s love. I think He is trying to tell me something! I really needed to feel His perfect love this morning. Thanks for sharing! #LifeGivingLinkUp
So glad, Kelly! I just love when He times things to get the point across loud and clear! His love for you is steadfast and immovable. Blessings!
A reminder of God’s amazing love is always a great way to start the day! Brings joy to my heart as I think about what you’ve said here. Since before He formed the world, love was at work! Thank you for sharing today. Your post uplifted me!
Amen, Kristine! Thank you for the encouragement, His Word brings joy, doesn’t it? 🙂
Wow! What a striking welcome your header is giving me this morning!
Awake, my soul!
So cool to meet you today …
So grateful, Linda!
I agree–I love the header picture! And these verses are some of my favorites. I love your last paragraph, the explanation of what to do if you WANT to know God…& I agree, that there’s no greater JOY!
My husband helped me pick it out : ) Thank you!! Amen, no greater joy can be found! And He wants to know us too!
I’ve taken to using I Cor. 13 as a guide for prayer these days. I want to show His kind of love, but it is not in me. Thanks for this reminder of the nature of true love.
It is in you -in Him and His Spirit!! : ) Haha. I hear you, though. Humbly, that is the truth. What a blessing that He can fill us with that kind of love in order to pour it out. What a great way to pray, too! Blessings!