Advent: A 25-Day Countdown to ChristmasSample

Why Do We Love?

God’s love is always working, even when it’s not easy to see or believe. Sometimes, it can even be confusing why God would love a world of messy people like us.

The Bible tells us in Genesis 1:26-27, that we are made in the image of God. This has less to do with our physical appearance, and everything to do with the ways we choose to live our lives. As His children made in His image, God invites us to partner with Him in taking care of the world, and everything in it.

And one of the most crucial things we’re called to do is share Jesus’ love with the world.

The good news is that He doesn’t leave us to our own devices to figure out how to partner with Him in this mission. Instead, Jesus tells us how to act by sharing the two greatest commands: to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves.

When we don’t follow God’s instructions, we end up misusing and abusing ourselves and others—valuable people who God made in His own image. That’s why He defines obeying His commandments as essential to loving Him. You can’t love the Creator while destroying His many creations.

In fact, 1 John 4:8 NIV says:

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.

Remember, love is following Jesus’ example by treating everyone as valuable and worthy of sacrificial care.

God is triune, meaning He is three in One—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. So when we look to Jesus for examples of how to love others, we’re also following God’s example of love from the beginning of time.

Jesus is the best example of God’s love, but many people in the Bible had moments where they got it right, too. We’ll look at some examples over the coming days.

For today, consider the two greatest commands: love God and love your neighbor as yourself. How well are you doing at following these two commands, and what might need to change?

Pause and Pray:

Lord, thank You for the love You demonstrate in everything You say and do. Teach me how to restore my relationships with others as my relationship with You continues to be restored. I want to be someone who loves You so well that it makes a positive impact on the lives of those around me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Reflect or Discuss:

How can you love both the Creator and His creations today? What might you need to change? What is one way you are loving God and others well? Take time to celebrate it!