Daily Live a Life of Love

We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.

─ 1 John 4:19-21 ESV

To love is a challenging command. Our natural tendency is to live a self-centered life. Once we have a personal relationship with Jesus, our lives should become all about love: loving God and loving each other.

Our verse today spells it out clearly – our love for others is our grateful response to the love God first demonstrated to us. No one can say, “I love God,” but really have hatred toward another believer. That person is faking it because if you don’t love someone you can see, how can you truly love God, whom you can’t see?

The real proof of our love for God must always be in how we express love and treat others with dignity and respect, esteeming them in love.

Here are three essentials necessary to experience a life of love.

1. Choose daily to live in the love of God.

Remember that God loves us no matter what we do. Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ. Whether we deserve it or not, God’s love never ceases. The love God lavishes on us should inspire us to give love to others, even if we feel like they don’t deserve it. The key is to be a conduit of God’s love.

2. Overcome past perceptions of love.

There is a depth of love that many people never experience. Why? They believe that love is merely a feeling or an emotion. True love is not a feeling—it’s a decision, a choice. God chooses to love us, and we are also called to intentionally give love.

3. See people as God does.

God views people differently than we do. People are valuable to God. It doesn’t matter what they have done, or who they have failed. God values everyone.

Today’s One Thing

Paul prepared to close his first letter to the Corinthians with the words, “Let all that you do be done with love” (1 Corinthians 16:14). Let that become your prayer this week. Ask God to allow that to be said of you as you intentionally choose to live a life of love!

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