In His Name Devotionals
THE GIFT OF GOD
In His Name Devotionals
THE GIFT OF GOD
“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this all men will know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:34-35)
“Love is a beautiful thing.”
“Love is a physical attraction.”
“Love is never having to say you’re sorry.”
“Love is something you show to people you like.”
The Bible agrees that love is a beautiful thing but says it is much more than just a feeling. Love is a verb—it actively participates. Go to the Bible and seek all passages which refer to God’s love. They all have one thing in common —“God loved, so He gave” or “God so loved, so He did.” This gives us a clue as to the meaning of love—its foremost characteristic is an active quality which evidences itself in giving to others, in pouring out its feelings in deeds of kindness.
Love is a way of living life to the fullest. Psychologists tell us that man has two basic needs: to love and to be loved. God is love. Love is the very essence of His being. Jesus is God’s love personified. Because He loves us, a relationship with Him is possible. God loves us for ourselves. God loves unconditionally. God loves unselfishly. God loves us while we are still His enemy. True love is reciprocal—the more you give, the more you get. Love in this way is difficult. However, God rewards those who take up the challenge. He forgives our sins, He drives out our fears. He gives us greater strength to love.
We may be unable to meet everyone’s needs for love. We can meet the needs of a few and meet some of the needs of others:
“I am only one, but I am one.
I can’t do everything, but I can do something.
What I can do, I ought to do.
By the will of God—I will Love
And lighten someone’s load.”
