Knowing and Showing God's Love

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"...As I have loved you, so you must love one another." - John 13:34

"Teach me to love...to love like You, Lord..."

These are the lyrics to a new song I'm writing, and they're also the words I've been praying on repeat, because this year I want to better understand Christ-like love and dig deeper into showing it to those around me (and to experience it myself!).

We hear that cliche "love is a choice" thrown around a lot, especially when contrasting it to love as a feeling. We've heard it so much that we often dismiss it. But this particular cliche holds up. We have to make a choice to love when we don't feel like it, when it's inconvenient, and when it's contrary to culture. This doesn't mean being a doormat, but it does mean asking the Lord, "How would you have me respond to this situation?" This doesn't come naturally, friends. We have to develop spiritual muscle for it (which for me includes being more intentional with Bible study, reflection, prayer, and fasting).

This also means looking at the way God loves me. Brutal transparency: sometimes I don't feel like God loves me. But I know He does. Undoubtedly. Jesus is love personified. He died for me. He rose for me. He knows everything about me. He guards my steps. These are Biblical truths that hold up. Feelings do not. So, I don't give as much credibility to feelings as I used to. Instead, I lean into what I know is true. Time to develop that spiritual muscle even more! It's uncomfortable, just like lifting weights to gain muscle in the physical is, but it's productive, it's healthy, and it changes your life.

I'm also looking at how I can better love God (as we're commanded to do in Matthew 22:37 - see the blog I wrote last month for more details). If love is an action, there are many ways I can love God regardless of how I feel. The Bible is a literal how-to guide in terms of demonstrating our love for God. And God notices when we do. Psalm 149:4 says He delights in the love we show Him. Imagine that. I can delight the Lord!

If any of this connects with your spirit, join me as I delve deeper into knowing and showing God's love. We don't need to strive. But we do need to make an effort to build more spiritual muscle.

Comment below if you're joining me. I'd love to keep in touch.

Questions for Reflection:

1. What does building "spiritual muscle" mean to you?

2. How does Godly love differ from popular culture's idea of love?

3. Think of a time when you chose to act lovingly towards someone when you didn't feel like it. What was the impact on both you and the other person?