To Love is to Live; First John

May the mumbling commence!

To love is to live.  It is really that simple.  Read from First John chapter three (NIV):

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death. (Verse 14)

To love is to live.  To refuse to love is to die.  What would your choice be?

Spring is the season for love… or is it?  What is love exactly?  From where does it come?  Read a little later in First John chapter three (NIV):

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.  If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?  Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. (Verses 16-18)

Love comes down from heaven.  Love’s greatest expression is found in the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  Love is sacrificial. 

And love is an action verb.  Love starts in the depths of our soul, but it cannot be complete without full expression – with action based in truth.  Love is not just a temporary flutter in our hearts and a spring in our steps.

Love is sharing sacrificially with people in need.  That is what love is.  Even the simplest minds among us can understand that – even I understand it.

Oh, Holy Spirit, give us the love and truth that comes down from heaven so that we may live the love and truth wherever we find ourselves.  Help us to acknowledge that the basics of love are learned quickly, but to know the depths of love is a never-ending process of trial and error and discovery and surprise.

Give thanks to God by putting the love He has showered upon us into practice.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out