Real Hope: Definition of LoveSample

Love Found

There are many things that we instinctually know how to do. We know how to breath from the moment we’re born. We know how to laugh when something is funny or brings us great joy. And we know how to hurt others’ feelings almost entirely without any instruction or demonstration. But loving is different. The Bible tells us that, when we want to know what love is, we’re to look at the example God has given us in sending His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. He’s completely dealt with the problem of sin for us in giving something precious of Himself – this is what love is.

I really love that this reminds me of how far short any version of love we might create remains from God’s act of love.

No matter how thoughtful the gift, how sacrificial the acts of service, how amazingly comforting the hug, how expensive the meal, how long the time spent together, none of this comes close to God’s demonstration of His love for us in giving Jesus.

Does that mean we give up trying to love others thoughtfully, sacrificially, richly? Heck no! The very next verse compels us to love one another, but we should never assume that what we’re about to achieve – to create – can ever equal what the creator has given. The definition of love has to be found in the one who has created it. He has shown us what it means, what it looks like and how it should change our world forever.

Love is amazing when you find it, feel it, experience it and see it – but it’s got nothing on what God’s done and given to us. Don’t forget that!

Written by KATIE SMITH