NoahSample

True Love

The Hall of Faith is full of great ark-builders. Like us, these people are called to erect an ark of faithful obedience, a life of service, and a life of love. 

A key specification in building your ark is to love well because the final result will be good for us and for those we are close to. But love is not as simple as just being nice. Noah is not renowned for his politeness or his upbeat and positive attitude. Love does what is in the best interest of others. Someone who needs an intervention might not appreciate it at the moment, or perhaps ever. But doing what is in that person’s best interest—even when it means arranging an unpleasant intervention—is love.

Noah intervened to confront the wickedness around him by building an ark. By obeying God, he offered those around him a better way.

Scripture provides a blueprint for the self-interest of each human being. When we live according to that blueprint, we are building an ark with our lives. We accept the invitation to live a better way by following the instructions.

God’s perspective, revealed to us through His holy Word, lets us know what is best for each of us. He informs us how to love well—how to truly love.

It takes real courage to love well. Pursuing true love—seeking not our own interest, but the interest of others—isn’t always applauded. Yet when we help others or pray for their needs, we are showing God’s goodness to the world, and doing what Jesus did for us. 

Noah trusted God and showed people a way to be delivered from death, but it wasn’t popular. Almost everyone declined it, but Noah pleased God. That is why his life was a great success.

Heavenly Father, thank You for all You have done in our favor. You have given us examples like Noah to show us what could be possible if we only believe and obey. You sent Jesus to the world to show us Your love, that we might know You. Please help us to show Your love to others through serving them well. Thank you for the blueprint of your Word. Help us to regularly glean from it the instructions we need to keep building an ark that pleases you.