What is love? Some don’t often think about defining love as “esteeming others” or “doing good to others.” In fact, we may not ever consider what love really means because of its difficulty in being defined. One thing we do know is that love has little to do with self.  The apostle Paul wrote that love does not seek its own (1 Cor 13:5), and this reinforces the true definition of love.

Have you ever wondered why a fireman would go into a burning building to save someone? What about policemen who risk their lives on a day to day basis to serve us? Their motto is “To Protect and Serve”. On a more relevant note, why do our young men volunteer to serve in the military? I believe if we look closely enough, we will see that the answer, for the most part, is love. These men and women put their lives on the line each day by putting the needs of others before their own. Jesus tells us that no greater love has a man than this that he lay down his life for a friend.

God doesn’t want us to live our lives in fear or dread.  In first John 4:17, we read “…there is no fear in love, but perfect love cast out fear.”  We need to realize that we can never achieve perfect love. Jesus was the only example of perfect love, but we must, in striving to follow His example do the best we can.

We also read in the same passage that “…fear involves punishment…” Friends, God has loved us and because of that we love Him. And if we love Him we will keep His commandments, and seek to do His will as we submit to Him. If we are doing these things as a result of love there is no need to fear punishment, for those who are in Christ do not face punishment. Do you love God for what He has done for you? Are you in Christ? Maybe you don’t know and if that is the case we would be glad to share with you on how to find out. Why would we do this? It is because we love you and care about you just as God does. May God bless you and keep you.

Copyright © 2003, Nolan P. Rutter