The word “love” is commonly defined as affection, tenderness, admiration, or common interests. But the Bible defines love as action, not just feelings.
The source of love is God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Those who don’t love don’t really know God, because God is love.
The standard of love is Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice on the cross. This is the ultimate demonstration of love.
The Holy Spirit is the one who pours God’s love into our hearts and enables us to love others.
We are called to love others deeply, which means covering over their offenses and wrongs through sacrifice. When we have been hurt and offended, we should love like Christ loved us on the cross.
God’s love covers a multitude of sins. When we have been wronged, we should overlook the offense and love in action. Christ-like love reaches its height when we can love those who have sinned against us. The Holy Spirit empowers us to love in this way.
The key points are:
- The source of love is God
- The standard of love is Jesus Christ’s sacrifice
- The Holy Spirit enables us to love others deeply
- Christ-like love means covering over the wrongs of others through sacrifice
- God’s love covers a multitude of sins
True love is an act of the will empowered by the Holy Spirit, modeled on Christ’s sacrificial love for us on the cross.