• What Love Lived Out Looks Like

    By: Kristen L. McNulty

    Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.

    We hear a lot of talk about love. In our churches, in our social groups, on TV, in books, and on the internet. We also read a lot about love in the Bible. Love your neighbour, love the Lord your God, love your enemies. I think most Christians understand that they are supposed to love. After all, Jesus did say that it's the most important commandment (Matthew 22). But what does Biblical love look like? I would argue the kind of love we are called to display is a love backed up by actions, a love that we live out, day by day, moment by moment, action by action.

    1 John chapter 3 verses 16-19 teach us:

    "We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters. If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister[f] in need but shows no compassion—how can God's love be in that person? Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God."  1 John 3:16-19

    The love we see discussed in these verses is both sacrificial and backed up by our actions. It's the kind of love that doesn't stay contained in our hearts, but spills over in our lives and others by the actions we take and the choices we make.

    Love Lived Out


    So what does this kind of love look like when lived out?

    Love is giving up your 'rights' to the remote control. 
    Love is leaving a quarter in a meter. 
    Love is stopping to open the door for someone. 
    Love is giving up your seat for someone else. 
    Love is offering a ride. 
    Love is making a meal. 
    Love is making a phone call, sending an email or writing a letter. 
    Love is forgiving an offense. 
    Love is choosing to encourage rather than criticize. 
    Love is putting others' needs before your own. 
    Love is a small moment in time when, in a me first world, you put someone ahead of yourself.

    Love isn't just a feeling or something couples experience. Love is a choice, followed by an action, that is then turned into a lifestyle. And love is what is required from everyone who bears the name of Christ.

    Love Isn't Easy


    Love isn't easy- if it was it probably wouldn't be nearly as powerful. No, love is difficult, but by being difficult it is a strong witness to the world. As Jesus said in John 13:35.

    "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."

    The world will know Christ because of the love we show to one another and those around us. As Francis Chan wrote in his book Crazy Love:

    ‎"Do you know that nothing you do in this life will ever matter, unless it is about loving God and loving the people he has made?"

    Everyday we have the opportunity to show love to those around us. Remember, love is a choice, followed by an action and then turned into a lifestyle. Today why don't you make the choice to love? 

    Closing off with verses from 1 John 4:

    "We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love.God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world." 1 John 4:16-17

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