The Bible gives us the definition of agape, God love, in I John 4:10. “And this is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” In other words God’s love sees a need, and takes the initiative to meet that need, even to the point of sacrifice.
Sacrifice is not a word often associated with love. And yet it is a vital part of God’s love for us and the love that He wants to empower us to give to others. We discover God’s love through faith in Jesus Christ. God wants us to grow in our understanding and demonstration of His love. It was that kind of love the Good Samaritan showed the wounded man he stopped to help him.
We need God’s power within us to love that way. And that is God’s great commandment. When we love that way, we aren’t just focused on our own wants and needs. We notice, care about and seek to meet the needs we can for others, especially our loved ones.
This week ask God to show you a way you can show His love to someone close to you.
Choosing to love God’s way...