1 John 3:16-18

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.  But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?  Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

Since love is the primary characteristic of those who follow Christ, it is important that we know what love looks like.  We need look no further than the example of Jesus, because He is love personified.  We are called to love one another in the same way that Jesus loved us.

LOVE IS SACRIFICIAL: The supreme example of love is the Lord Jesus Christ.  His sacrificial love on our behalf is unfathomable.  Certainly, His sacrifice on the cross is the apex of his suffering, but His entire life is an example of sacrificial love.  The incarnation in and of itself was a sacrifice that we cannot full comprehend.  The thought of God taking on flesh and becoming a man is astounding.  It is hard to imagine the Creator of the universe having to learn how to walk and talk.  The motive behind all of this sacrifice was His love for us.  His commandment to us is that we love one another in that same sacrificial way.  Our relationship with Christ is demonstrated by our imitation of His sacrificial love.

LOVE IS EMOTIONAL: Love is more than emotions, but it is not devoid of emotion.  Our tendency to define love as an action or a decision is helpful but can also be overstated.  John’s illustration of seeing a brother in need and then closing the heart to that brother demonstrates this principle well.  If inaction comes from a closed heart; then action would come from an open heart.  The love of God in our hearts should open our hearts to those whom He loves.  This is the clear demonstration of the presence of God in our lives, if we love one another.

LOVE IS PRACTICAL: As believers, we will naturally talk about love because it is so central to our faith. However, true love must go beyond words to serving one another from a heart of compassion and kindness.  True love will impact the actions of those who profess that love.  This is true in marriage, family, friendships, church, and the mission of reaching the lost in our neighborhoods and the nations.  

APPLICATION: Identify ways that we can sacrifice to love the people God has put in our path.  Look into our hearts to see if they are open or closed to our brothers who are in need.  Set a goal for a practical way we can serve someone around us as an expression of love.

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