Love is the Message

For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. – (1 John 3:11, NIV)

This is the teaching you have heard from the beginning: We must love each other. – (1 John 3:11, ERV)

The central truth – the one you have heard since the beginning of your faith – is that we must love one another. – (1 John 3:11, VOICE)

To love is the foundation of our faith, for without love, there would be no hope for all that God has in store for both now and eternity. It is God’s perfect love that demonstrates to us what love is and how to give it away. When those around us do things that frustrate or irritate us, love chooses to assume positive intent, rather than allow anger to begin. To love one another is to do unto others what we would want done to us. May we ever seek the Lord to lead us in His perfect love, so that we might love one another well.

Love is the message,

Photo by Ravi Kant on Pexels.com

For it’s always been;

A call to choose love,

As each day begins.

No matter what comes,

The call is the same;

Love one another,

To honor God’s Name.

Let loving kindness,

Be what leads the way;

Give as God gives us,

Love that’s new each day.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that Your message is clear, and that You only ask of us that which You do and are willing to equip us to do as well. Thank You that not only do You show us love, but You are love. Forgive us for responding to anyone without love. Teach us how to love those around us best, as You know what each heart needs. Lead us in Your love throughout each new day, and may Your love be what others recognize in us. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us in Your love as You call and command us to do. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Nothing is more precious that Your loving kindness. All people can find protection close to You. – Psalm 36:7

Done to Others is Done Unto You

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me.’” – (Matthew 25:40, NIV)

“Then the King will answer, ‘The truth is, anything you did for my people here, you also did for Me.’” – (Matthew 25:40, ERV)

“And the King will answer them, ‘Don’t you know? When you cared for one of the least important of these, My little ones, My true brothers and sisters, you demonstrated love for Me.’” – (Matthew 25:40, TPT)

This ought to be our motivation. Whenever we love others, we are also demonstrating our love for God. Every single time we love, help, encourage, lift up, show kindness, give grace – God sees it as if we were doing these very things unto Him. What this shows us is how deeply God loves all of His creation. Our closest comparison is how we feel when others extend kindness, grace, generosity, encouragement, and more to one whom we love deeply. I know for me, when someone does these things for one of my children, I am blessed as well. My heart swells with gratitude, simply knowing that another sees and values my child like I do. Imagine the depth of what God feels in comparison. God who loved so deeply that He sent His Son to reestablish a right relationship with us, recognizes every act of kindness and extension of love as words and deeds given directly to Him. For me, that both defines and dictates how I ought to treat everyone I meet. Do I have it down to a science? Of course not. I fall short and fail daily, yet can always seek to do and be better. God, in His loving kindness, hears our petitions presented before Him, and honors our desire to love well. May we ever seek the Lord to lead and equip us to love as He loves us.

Whatever we do,

In word, thought or deed;

We do unto God,

Let’s follow His lead.

The God of all grace,

Does all things in love;

May we love like Him,

Give good from above.

For each time we choose,

To help each other;

We live with purpose,

Sisters and brothers.

The times that we fail,

Neglect or ignore;

It too is to God,

Things that He abhors.

Lord, help us rise up,

Love well, each other;

Choose extend Your love,

One to another.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call us to love one another as You love us. Thank You that as we do, You recognize our love extended to those around us as love for You. Forgive us for the times that we have been unloving or callous or have neglected to reach out where we knew You called us to love. Teach us to trust and follow Your lead as we aspire to love like You. Show us how to love those around us in ways that exhibit the width, depth and breadth of Your everlasting love. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we reach out to love like You. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. – Matthew 7:12

The Golden Rule

Do to others as you would have them do to you. – (Luke 6:31, NIV)

Do for others what you want them to do for you. – (Luke 6:31, ERV)

However you wish to be treated by others is how you should treat everyone else. – (Luke 6:31, TPT)

This verse, also known as “The Golden Rule”, was spoken by Jesus for all. If we are truly seeking to love as God loves us, we will do unto, do for, and treat others the same way we desire to be treated. It does not say, “If others reciprocate, do these things,” but rather, just treat everyone well. Jesus does not love only those who love Him back, He truly loves all of His creation – passionately, sacrificially, and completely. His love is enough to meet our deepest needs. Because we are loved so well, we ought to long to do the same for those around us. The more we invest time with our Savior, the more clearly we are able to reflect His heart to the world. May we look for ways to do for others, to speak into the lives of others, and to treat others with the love that comes from Christ.

Do unto others,

As you would have done;

Treat all with kindness,

As each day’s begun.

Show all the great love,

That comes from the Lord;

Give kindness and grace,

Treat all as adored.

For through the Lord’s eyes,

He knows us by name;

His precious children,

Whom He loves the same.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving all of us so well. Thank You that You teach us, show us and call us to do the same. Forgive us for the times that we have neglected to love as we are called to do. Teach us to turn to You to show us how, and equip us, to treat others the way we should. Fill us with Your love overflowing, so that we go forth and love all according to Your good and perfect will. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to do unto others, do for others, and treat others the way we were created to do. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. – John 13:34

Love Fulfills the Law

The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. – (Romans 13:9-10, NIV)

The law says, “You must not commit adultery, you must not murder anyone, you must not steal, you must not want what belongs to someone else.” All these commands and all other commands are really only one rule: “Love your neighbor the same as you love yourself.” Love doesn’t hurt others. So loving is the same as obeying all the law. – (Romans 13:9-10, ERV)

For the commandments, “Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not covet,” and every other commandment can be summed up in these words: “Love and value others the same way you love and value yourself.” Love makes it impossible to harm another, so love fulfills all that the law requires. – (Romans 13:9-10, TPT)

 

This really sums up so much. Our charge, our call, our purpose, above all else, is to LOVE. If we truly love as God intended, we are obeying and honoring God, and showing the world what love really means. The “Golden Rule” is similarly based on this sort of love. To do unto others as we want done unto us, is the same as loving our neighbors as ourselves. Isn’t that what everyone ultimately desires? To love and be loved in return? It is no surprise that the longing within us aligns with the intent and purpose for which we were created. It is the most difficult to love when the recipient of our choice to love does not do the same in return. However, we are called to love anyway. Often, the repeated extension of kindness breaks down the barriers that are blocking another from receiving or giving love. Once they begin to see, know and understand that it is genuine, they become more willing to receive and return what is given. May we ever choose to love others as we desire to be loved; for this is what we are called and commanded to do.

 

Choose love each other,

As we’d like love back;

For this is our charge,

To do as God asks.

All those whom we meet,

Are neighbors indeed;

Ready for kindness,

Love’s a human need.

Each time that we choose,

To give love away;

We’re following God,

For love is His way.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You call and command us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Thank You that You do not just command it, but You have shown us again and again what it is to love. Forgive us for the times that we have not loved as You would want us to love. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would extend kindness, mercy and grace, even in the face of adversity and ugliness. Show us how to love all of those You have placed around us in ways that make Your heart tangible to them, individually. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we love others as You call us to love. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. – John 13:34

The Next Right Thing

image by Ray Cordova Ministries

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.” – Matthew 25:40

Jesus was explaining to His followers that whatever we do for another, it is as if we are doing it unto Him.  How we love and care for one another, matters to God.  In fact, He takes it personally.  He sees, hears and knows all that we do out of our love for Him, and He counts it as if it has been done unto Him.

Though we are saved by grace alone, it is because He loves us and cares for us individually, that we ought to do the same for one another.  As we come to receive His love, we are compelled to convey that same love to one another.  He equips and encourages us to do just that, to love as we are loved.  We have not limitless resources nor time, yet we are refreshed and supplied by the Savior who does.  No, we cannot do or be all things to all people, yet we can choose to do the next right thing.  If we see someone who is hungry, we can give them something to eat.  If we see someone who is cold, we can give something to offer warmth.  If another is lonely, we can offer our company.  If one is hurting, we can lend a helping hand.  The needs around us are far too numerous to count.  All together, they present a daunting, monumental and impossible task; however, if we look at one thing at a time and do what we can, we are choosing to have open eyes, hearts and hands.  Through us, His love will flow, when we are willing to extend our hearts and hands to another.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You sent Your Son to live as our example, die for our sins, and rise to be seated beside You as our Intercessor so that Your Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, might lead and guide us in the way we are meant to go.  Please forgive us for our paralysis when we are overwhelmed and know not what to do to help with the numerous needs around us.  Teach us to trust You and to listen to Your leading so that we may simply do the next right thing, and then repeat, again and again and again.  Lead us to live lives of love, just as You love us.  May our love be lived out loud, so that many may come to know of Your care and concern for each of us individually.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present