Love can be defined as an emotion or feeling, but as evangelical Christians, we believe that true love goes beyond just a feeling. Love is an action that is rooted in our relationship with God. We believe that God is love and that He created us to love Him and to love others.
We see examples of love throughout the Bible. In John 3:16, we read, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse shows us the ultimate act of love, where God sent His only Son to die on the cross for our sins. This act of sacrificial love is a powerful reminder of how much God loves us and how we should love others.
In 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, we see a description of love that goes beyond just an emotion. It says, "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, always perseveres." This passage shows us that love is not just about how we feel towards someone, but it’s about how we treat them.
As Christians, we are called to love not just our friends and family, but also our enemies. In Matthew 5:44, Jesus says, "But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." This commandment challenges us to show love even to those who may not love us back.
In John 13:34-35, Jesus says, "A new command 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." This passage shows us that our love for each other as Christians is a testimony to the world of our relationship with God.
In conclusion, as evangelical Christians, we believe that love is an action that is rooted in our relationship with God. It’s not just a feeling, but it’s how we treat others, even our enemies. We see examples of love throughout the Bible, from God’s ultimate act of sacrificial love to Jesus’ commandment to love one another. Our love for each other is a testimony to the world of our relationship with God.
