The Love of GodSample

DAILY SCRIPTURE

And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Saviour of the world. (1 John 4:14)

GOD’S LOVE IN ACTION

Love is more than simply a feeling. Feelings are certainly a very important part of love, but love is ultimately a choice that results in action.

God’s extravagant love resulted in Jesus coming to be the Saviour of the world. He didn’t just love us from afar, he came close to us and made a way for us to come into a relationship with him when we were powerless to do so. That is love in action.

In Mark 12:29-31, Jesus tells us the most important commandment is to love God. God is always to take first place in our lives, and we have the joy and privilege of loving him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. The second most important commandment, Jesus says, is to love our neighbour as ourselves. But what does it look like to love our neighbour?

In the Parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus describes a man who sees someone in need, feels compassion for them, and attends to them; even though it costs him time, effort, resources and finance (see Luke 10:25-37). Love does not just feel compassion, it acts on it to make a difference in the lives of others. The Lord Jesus is our perfect example of love in action. Just as we have each been captivated by the love of God as seen on the cross, let us also live our lives in such a way that follows God’s lead and stuns those around us with the way we love them.

THOUGHTS FOR PRAYER AND REFLECTION

• What surprises you about God’s love?
• What are some of the things that first made you love Jesus?
• Consider some ways that you can display God’s love to those in your life.