Happy Friday!
Today, we’re wrapping up our July series where we’ve asked ourselves this question: Why is love so important? There is no greater place to search for answers to this question than within Jesus’ own words.
We’ve looked at what Jesus had to say in the gospels of Matthew and John, and will finish up with Jesus’ words in the gospels of Mark and Luke. I’ve summarized Jesus’ words below and included the Scripture reference.
-Jesus’ love extends to each and every person. (Mark 10:21)
-God loves even those who hate Him and we are to do the same. (Luke 6:36 and Matthew 5:43-47)
-We are not to love the praise of men (John 12:43), selfish recognition (Matthew 23:6), earthly belongings (Luke 6:19-31) or anything more than God. (Luke 16:13)
As our final week, can we answer the question: Why is love so important? I believe love is important because God is love itself and when we love others, we are being obedient to Jesus’ teachings, which according to Jesus, demonstrates our love back to God. Jesus also says in John 13:35, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” How can we be different from the world? How can we stand out and spread the hope of the gospel? By loving each other. It’s radical. Loving your enemy? Radical. Praying for your enemy? Supernatural. How does the unbelieving world know we are Jesus’ disciples? By our love.
When all is said and done and we are with Jesus in heaven, love will abide there too. How do I know? Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:13, “So now faith, hope and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” Love remains. Faith is accomplished and all hope fulfilled when our eyes land upon Jesus’ face. But love? Love is the greatest.
Which of Jesus’ teachings on love speaks to you or stands out?
If you’ve enjoyed the series on love, drop a heart below!
**summarized from Life Application Study Bible, NIV, Zondervan
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