We were created for relationships! No matter our marital status, we all have relationships that we cherish and want to see flourish! It all starts with LOVE. So, how do we love like Jesus in every situation?
“We love because He first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19 (ESV)
When we look to Scripture, we see a love story with verse after verse showing us God’s unending love for His children. God gave us the ULTIMATE example of LOVE when He took all of our sin and shame upon Himself. Jesus paid for the sins of the whole world to provide a way for none to be lost, but all to have a path back to our Heavenly Father. To love well, we must first understand the unconditional love our Heavenly Father lavishes upon us. His love empowers us to build healthy relationships that are life-giving and grace-filled.
Let’s look at what the Bible says about love 💕
1. John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV)
2. Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (NIV)
3. Romans 8:38-39
And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NLT)
4. Ephesians 2:4-5
But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much he made us alive with Christ, and God's gift of undeserved grace is what saves you. (CEV)
5. Ephesians 3:18
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is. (NLT)
Now that we see the depth of our Heavenly Father’s love, these Scriptures teach us how to love others with the same love that we have received.
1. 1 John 4:11-12
Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and His love is perfected in us. (ESV)
2. Ephesians 4:2
Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. (NLT)
3. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. (ESV)
4. Romans 12:10
Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. (NLT)
5. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (ESV)
---------------------
Who do you hold close to your heart? We encourage you to reach out to your loved ones this week. Give a hug, share a meal, call someone to remind them how much they are loved. This is the perfect time to celebrate the people God has placed in your life! 💜
