TRUE LOVE
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.
Romans 12:9 (NIV)
I’ll never forget the day I was introduced to a student who ended up having a profound impact on my teaching career. He entered the classroom with his shoulders slumped, his head down, and his long, shaggy hair covering his eyes. He sat at a desk in the corner of the room, far from the other students. The tug in my heart told me that he felt alone and unseen. I quickly discovered that he had a reputation for being a troublemaker. Each day, I would make a conscious effort to speak to him, usually about something unrelated to the subject I was teaching. I invited him to my study group to help him with his homework. I inconspicuously placed extra pencils and other supplies on his desk so he wouldn’t feel embarrassed for not having his own materials. Over time, he began to smile when I greeted him at the door. I watched him transform during the school year from a shy, timid boy into a curious, more confident young man. He left a note on my desk on the last day of school that said, Thank you for not being mad at me. You are the best teacher I’ve ever had.
We are called to love others as we love ourselves. Love fueled by emotion is shallow and unsustainable, but love fueled by action is life-changing. 1 John 4:10 says, This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Notice that God didn’t just tell us that He loves us. He didn’t base His love for us on His emotions. He made a choice; He took action by sacrificing His beloved Son. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13:34-35 NIV).”
APPLICATION: How can you demonstrate love today? Choose one actionable step you can take to show love to someone.
PRAYER: Father, thank You for Your perfect and unfailing love. Help me to love others regardless of my emotions. Let others see Your love reflected in me. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?