Walking In LoveSample

A Test of Love

Jesus calls us to make love the defining mark of our lives. Most of us do fine when it comes to loving people in the abstract, like loving all of humanity. But how do we do when it comes to loving people in the concrete and practical?

Just between you and God, assess yourself, on a scale of one to ten, on the following ten expressions of love. Ask God how you are doing when it comes to love:

1. Are you a great listener? Do you give people your undivided attention? Do you probe and ask follow-up questions? Do the people around you consider you a great listener? The first duty of love is to listen.

2. Do you serve people? Are you always looking to serve people in practical ways, from helping with the dishes and giving someone a call to helping a single parent? Do you find ways to serve at church? Do you exude servanthood? Are you more a giver than a taker?

3. Are you a big-hearted forgiver? Forgiveness may be the biggest test of love, and the hardest. Do you freely forgive people who hurt you? Or do you hold grudges, keep score, and give the silent treatment? Forgive people the way your God forgives you.

4. Do you pray frequently and fervently for people? Prayer for someone, especially for someone with a big need, might be the most powerful way you can love them, yet it is unseen and often not done. When you tell someone you will pray for them, do you wholeheartedly pray and ask them later how the prayer was answered?

5. Do you accept people who are different? Do you enjoy the differences in people and readily accept others who are different in ethnic background, racial background, economic status, political affiliation, personality, and more? Do you revel in the glorious way that God has made us different?

6. Do you verbalize your love? Do you say the words “I love you”? Do you write the words “I love you”? These are the three most life-breathing words in your tool belt.

7. Do you touch people to express love? Touch, such as a hug or a hand on the shoulder, is powerful. Jesus touched the leper, which exploded his heart with tender compassion. Do you regularly utilize the power of touch?

8. Are you an encourager? Encouragers are lovers and lovers are encouragers. Are you always alert to encourage and affirm people? Do you speak to people’s fears and give them hope and confidence?

9. Do you consistently speak well of people? Do people know that you will not slander them behind their backs because when you are talking with these people you never slander others? Do you consistently say good things about people?

10. Do you weep with those who weep, and rejoice with those who rejoice? Romans 12:15 gives us this important test of love. Both are crucial, but the latter, rejoicing with someone, is much rarer. When someone has a broken heart, just show up and care. When someone has lots of success, then dance and sing.

When it comes to love, the way Christ loved, how are you doing?

You might be marvelously successful in some areas, but it won’t matter if you fail when it comes to love. Trying is what matters most.

At the end of your life, will it be said that you, above all else, loved people?