How do we love?
Sometimes when you read a Bible verse you have questions about how you actually comply with what the verse is telling you to do. You may even wonder to what level you should take what is being stated.
We see that God has told us, in Mark 12, to love our neighbor, and He qualifies it by saying “as yourself”. That’s fairly clear.
This week I believe we have seen this type of love demonstrated many times. Hurricane Harvey has allowed people to share love with their neighbors in ways that they may have never shown love before.
I would guess that there are many neighbors that didn’t even know each others names before this week. I’ve been guilty if that myself.
In John 15 Jesus says that the greatest love is shown when one lays his life down for a friend. That’s what Jesus did for us. I know I’ve read stories of this type of love being displayed in Texas and Louisiana this week.
We should all take this as an example of how we are to live. Showing love toward our neighbor shouldn’t be a one time event or a regional event brought on by a tragic large scale situation. It should be part of who we are on a consistent basis.
We may never get a chance to show love like the folks affected by Harvey. But our neighbors have needs that we can help remedy in many ways. Emotional, spiritual, physical or financial needs that we can help eliminate if we are loving them.
I’m an introverted person. I get it. Talking to people I dont know is really awkward. Especially when the other person isn’t a talker. We will all have to get around that road block together.
Bible verse references:
“One of the scribes came and heard them arguing, and recognizing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “What commandment is the foremost of all?” Jesus answered, “The foremost is, ‘Hear , O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord ; and you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart , and with all your soul , and with all your mind, and with all your strength .’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself .’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”
Mark 12:28-31 NASB
Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love. If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love. These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may be made full. “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. You are My friends if you do what I command you.
John 15:9-14 NASB
Donate to Hurricane Harvey relief efforts:
Relief Units in Texas to Help After Hurricane Harvey’s Punch http://sampur.se/2xjODJk via @SamaritansPurse
