Jesus Equals Love
READ: Romans 12:10-13
When Neal graduated from a Christian high school, he knew the truths of the Bible, like all of his friends did. He listened to the music that was popular at the time, though he knew it was wrong: Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson, and White Zombie. He thought of his own needs and wants before anything else. Even though he had a lot of friends, he was not a genuine friend to anyone. He was lazy and watched a lot of TV. He did go to church and had a lot of friends, but he still felt like something was missing in his life.
What could be missing from his life? He did not have any “love” in his life. In Christ, God has revealed his love towards us. It is the ultimate example of love, giving up someone he loved for people not deserving of it. Jesus is “love”. How can we live without Jesus? We cannot. How can we live without love? We cannot. Living without love is trying to live without Jesus.
Paul says in Romans 12:10 “Hate what is evil.” How can we listen to almost satanic music? We should hate what is evil. God also tells us to have sincere love. We cannot be lazy in our love; we must be zealous in our love. This means to be a friend at all times, including when a friend’s back is turned. God wants us to put other people above ourselves, and to share and be hospitable with what God has given to us. A life that is full of worldliness can still be empty.
If we live without love in our lives, we are living without Jesus in our lives.
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT: If we have the truths of the Bible, why don’t we love? What ways do people fake their love? What do our actions of love show to the world?
PRAYER SUGGESTIONS: Pray for more power to love. Pray that we are faithful in prayer. Pray that we find joy in God’s hope.