What is love?  This is the big question that a lot of people are asking and a lot of people think that they already have figured out.  The Bible gives us a good definition in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 where it tells us:  “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  Love never fails.”

We have been blessed with this great definition, but we still need something more.  We need to not only know what love is, but what it looks like.  How does love work?  There is another great passage of Scripture that says:  “16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.”  I John 3:16-18

I want you to notice three things that jump out of this passage to me about how we do love:

1.) Lay down your life for others!  Jesus gave His life for us and proof that we get that is that we give our life for one another.  Think about it – how can you lay down your life for your brothers and sisters?

2.) See a need, meet a need!  If you have material possessions?  We do have material possessions, so when we see a need, then wa are to have pity and do what we can to meet that need.

3.) Love – Really love!  with action and in truth!  Talk is cheap – it is easy to say: “I love you!”  We have to do more than say it, we have to do it.  We do love through the actions of our life and we do love through the truth of His Word.

What is love?  It’s what you make it, so make it right for God’s glory!

We all have a next chapter!  Here is a simple message as one chapter comes to an end and as a new chapter is getting ready to be written.  There is not better guide than God’s Word, so let these words make, shape, encourage and grow each of us to be all we were created to be.

“23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Hebrews 10:23-25

1.) Hold Onto Hope!

2.) Push Forward To Love And Good Deeds!

3.) Don’t Give Up Togetherness!

4.) Encourage All The Time!

5.) Be Ready!

A friend once told me:  “People love you as long as you can do something for them.”  I disagreed with him and acknowledged that this may be true with some people, but those that really love you, love you no matter what.  He said:  “Just wait and watch and you will see that what I am saying is true.”

As I have waited and watched, I hate to admit it, but there is a lot of truth in that statement.  It is not true in every single situation, but it is true in many.  What I have come to realize is this:  There are a lot fewer people in the second category than in the first.  I want to be one of those people who love just for love.  The most pure expression of love that I have ever experienced is the love that does something for someone who can’t do anything back, except love.

I have been fortunate to receive this kind of love and to give this kind of love.  This is the kind of love that God loves us with.  God loves us regardless.  It does not matter what we have done or what we will do – God loves us.  And because He loves us, He desires what is best for us.

My goal is to love others just for love and nothing else.  I do not want to look for or expect anything in return.  I am going to do my best to love others, really love them, regardless of who they are, where they come from, what they do, have done or will do. Because He loves me, I love you and that is more than enough!