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?
