Living A Life Of Love

As followers of Christ, we're called to live lives that reflect His love in all we do. One of the most powerful scriptures that challenge us to live this out is 1 John 3:16. It says, "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters."

This verse is simple but profound. It reminds us that love isn’t just a feeling; it’s a choice and a sacrificial action. The ultimate act of love was Jesus giving His life for us, even when we didn’t deserve it. The truth is, love is not always easy—it calls us to give of ourselves in ways that can be uncomfortable or even costly. And it requires us to pull on His grace, His enabling power to do so.  But this is what sets Christian love apart. It’s not about what we get in return. It’s about following the example of Jesus, who gave everything for our sake.

To live a life of love, we need to start by remembering the magnitude of God’s love for us. The fact that Jesus gave His life for us, while we were still sinners, is a humbling truth. It challenges us to ask ourselves, "Am I willing to love others in the same way?"

I think sometimes we limit love to just words or actions that are convenient for us. But Christ’s love was a radical, selfless love. If we want to embody this kind of love, we need to be ready to step outside of our comfort zones. Whether it’s serving others when we’re tired, forgiving those who’ve wronged us, or just showing up for someone who needs us, living out Christ’s love is about giving of ourselves even when it’s not easy.

I encourage you today to look for ways to live out this sacrificial love. It might be as simple as listening to someone who’s going through a tough time, or maybe it’s offering your time, resources, or even a word of encouragement to someone who feels forgotten. As we love others, we show the world the love of Christ.

Remember, love is a choice we make every day. Let’s choose to live lives marked by the love that Jesus showed us on the cross. When we do, we become living testimonies of the powerful, transformative love of God.