Love is a word we use every day. We say these four little
words to our spouse, our parents, children, family, friends, about our food or
entertainment, and our pets, – I would even go as far as to say that it is both
our favorite adjective and adverb. But, what does love mean in a Biblical
sense? We all know the commandment of loving our neighbor as ourselves, but
what about those who’ve done us wrong? At its deepest center, love involves the
genuine desire for the well-being of the “loved one”, and complete
selflessness. It goes beyond emotional attachment and extends to actions that
reflect kindness, understanding, and support. Love can be a source of joy,
comfort, and connection, binding individuals together in meaningful
relationships. I want to take a deeper look into Scripture and see what the
living Word has to say about it.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 reads, “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, and always perseveres.” In Matthew
22:37-39, Jesus states the greatest commandments: “Jesus replied: Love the Lord
your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love
your neighbor as yourself.’” How sweet are the Words from our Almighty?
My favorite passage about loving others comes from John
13:34-35. Where Jesus gives a new commandment to His disciples: “A new
commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love
one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love
one another.”
While there a many passages in the Bible that talk about
love, I like to imagine Romans 13:8-10 as a life manual, emphasizing the
extraordinary power of love in our everyday experiences. I like to think of it
as a GPS guiding us through the hills and valleys of relationships and decisions.
The Apostle Paul isn’t shoving a rulebook in our faces; he’s handing us the key
to harmonious living. When he says, “Owe no one anything except to love one
another,” he’s highlighting the currency of love that transcends all debts and
transactions.
Think about your friendships, family ties, and yes, even
those ever so challenging co-workers; you know the ones who microwave leftover
fish at lunch… Romans 13:8-10 encourages us to approach these connections with a
mindset of love that goes above and beyond politeness. It is about actively
seeking the well-being of others, being empathetic to their needs, and perhaps
the hardest of all, being patient.
Practicing this in our daily lives means pausing before reacting
in a heated moment. It may help to briefly step away to let emotions settle and
utilize the art of deep breathing. It’s choosing kindness when faced with
differences and offering a helping hand without expecting anything in return.
These verses challenge us to be engineers of love, building relationships not
just on rules but on genuine care.
What would the world look like if every decision, big or
small, was filtered through the lens of love? Think, how can I approach this
situation with love? From the way we handle conflicts and disputes, to the
choices we make in our relationships, Romans 13:8-10 becomes the compass that
guides us towards a neighborhood where love is the spoken language.
As you navigate the intricacies of life, my prayer for you
is that you let love be your guiding light and principle, and watch as it
revolutionizes your world, and the world around you. Amen.
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