But we don’t need to write to you about the importance of loving each other, for God himself has taught you to love one another.
1 Thessalonians 4:9
We love God because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19. Teaching Sunday school one Sunday this is the verse of the week, actually for the month. The three-year-olds yelling out “Dod’ for “God.” The children so cute learning their memory verses. The verses I learned as a child are the ones that I know to this day. We are to love one another, as God loved us. Jesus said, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you.” John 15: 12-14. Teaching children was a privilege, loving my children a greater privilege, beloved, who’ve you shown your love?
Beloved, the fifteenth characteristic of a born-again believer is one is loving. Loving’s definition is feeling or showing love or great care. Synonyms of loving are affectionate, fond, devoted, adoring, doting, solicitous, and demonstrative. Jesus begins his ministry when he attends the wedding. Setting the scene, Jesus and the disciples are there. Mary discovers a problem that the family ran out of wine. Out of loving concern, she comes to Jesus, she knows he is the only one that can take care of this problem. Mary has loving faith in her son Jesus. She says to the servants, “Whatever He says to do, do it.” John 2:5 There were six water pots of stone and Jesus directs these to be filled. That is twenty to thirty gallons each.
Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” John 2:8 They did so, and discovered that the wine problem had been fixed. Mary lovingly reached out to Jesus. Jesus performed his first miracle so there was no embarrassment at this wedding.
Beloved the fifteenth characteristic of a born-again believer is one is loving.
We love God because he first loved us. I love my family and I love my friends. We’re taught to love each other and loving-kindness is an easy attribute for me to emulate.
Father God, thank you for loving us first and for teaching us to love. Thank you for your word that says greater love has this than he lay down his life for his friends. I pray for the woman who is suffering today that needs to feel your love. As she immerses herself in your word, may she sense your love. In Jesus’ name Amen.
What do you need to do to be more loving?
15 Comments
Gayl
October 16, 2017 at 6:38 pmWe are loved by a great God. May we love Him and love others as He would have us do. We’ve been reading through Ephesians, Philippians and now Colossians. We are finding the theme of love going through each one.
Blessings to you, Diana!
Diana
October 17, 2017 at 5:05 pmDear Gayl, Thank you, I agree we serve a great God. Blessings Diana
Barbie
October 16, 2017 at 9:59 pmI am thankful that through God’s love for me I can love others. Blessings!
Diana
October 17, 2017 at 5:05 pmDear Barbie, Thanks love Blessings Diana
Rachelle Craig
October 17, 2017 at 4:24 amI love this! I used to have a problem with loving some of the people that make it hard. Not my own people, or my friends, but people in general. God has put me in a position at work where I work with and around those exact kinds of people, and He is teaching me how to love them even when I don’t want to. The struggle is real, but because I love Him, and His amazing love for me, I am learning and loving daily. Love you, my beautiful friend!
Diana
October 17, 2017 at 5:06 pmDear Rachelle, Thank you you always have my back. Blessings Diana.
Tara
October 17, 2017 at 10:58 amGod’s love wins!
Diana
October 17, 2017 at 5:07 pmDear Tara, His love does win. Blessings Diana
Mary Hill
October 17, 2017 at 11:20 amThis post is an important reminder to me today. I may be at odds with a believer, but I must do my best to love him/her. One way is through sincere prayer of forgiveness and reunification. Thank you for your faithfulness with this series. I pinned it!
Diana
October 17, 2017 at 5:08 pmDear Mary Hill thank you for pinning my post. I appreciate it. Blessings Diana
SUSAN SHIPE
October 17, 2017 at 2:28 pmToday I have been convicted to give more grace and be more loving!!!
Diana
October 17, 2017 at 5:08 pmDear Susan, we all can be more loving. Diana
Tammy
October 18, 2017 at 7:30 amGod’s grace! Definitely need more of God’s grace so I can love more. 🙂
Diana
October 18, 2017 at 10:41 amDear Tammy, It is all about his grace. Blessings Diana
Crissy Johnson
August 12, 2018 at 9:32 pmThis has convicted me and is confirmation of some things I have been dealing with recently. I consider myself a loving person but there are times and people I have hard time loving. I am praying that God would soften my heart and give me love for them.