“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.” (1 John 4:7-9 NASB1995)

I know that I have talked about this much, but I believe it is important for us to understand that this word translated “love” is not fleshly love, but it is a love which comes from God, and which centers in moral preference. When we love with this kind of love, we prefer all that God prefers, which is what is moral, upright, godly, honest, faithful, and obedient to our Lord. And we are kind, thoughtful, caring, patient, and considerate of others and their needs. But kindness is never lying to people. We should speak the truth, but in love.

And God’s love for us, and the love that Jesus Christ has for all of humanity, is our model for how we are to love others. Jesus cared about people. He ministered to their needs. He listened to what was on their hearts and on their minds, and he answered most all of their questions, I believe. But he had the wisdom to know when to walk away, too, when people were being unkind to him and were trying to trip him up with his words in order to have cause to accuse him. And he was honest with them, out of love for them.

This kind of love is never just surface level, i.e. just playing “nice” to people without really meaning it. It should be sincere, coming from our hearts, and never fake or superficial. Love should be honest, not hateful or nasty, but sincere, with no fakery involved. And it shouldn’t be selfish, thinking only of ourselves, but it should be considerate of others and their needs. Now love needs to be exercised with wisdom, for some kind people can be taken advantage of if they are not careful. So love with wisdom and discernment.

And loving God is not just in our emotions. For to love God is to obey his commands. If we claim to love God, but we do not obey his commands, in practice, then we are liars. And this isn’t about just following a set of rules. This is about surrendering our lives fully to God in his service, submitting to his Lordship over our lives, and listening to his voice, and following his lead, and being who he has called us to be in doing what he has called us to do in service to our Lord, because we love him, and so we want to serve him.

[Matthew 22:34-40; John 14:15,21-24; John 15:10,14; John 21:15; 1 John 2:3-6,15; 1 John 3:10,18; 1 John 4:19-20; 1 John 5:2-3; 2 John 1:6]

Love Must Be Genuine

Based off Romans 12:9-21
An Original Work / October 22, 2013
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love

Love must be genuine.
Hate what’s evil; cling to good.
Love each other with affection.
Show respect for ev’ryone.
Never lack in your zeal.
Serve the Lord with diligence.

Rejoice in steadfast hope.
In affliction, patient be.
Keep on praying; share with others.
Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute.
Feel with others sympathy.

Be not filled with conceit.
Daily sit at Jesus’ feet.
Live in harmony with others.
Live at peace with ev’ryone.
Repay not to someone
With the evil he begot.

Do not take your revenge;
Leave it to the wrath of God.
If your enemy is thirsty,
Give to him something to drink.
Do what’s right for mankind.
Evil: overcome with good.

Let Us Love One Another
An Original Work / January 14, 2026
Christ’s Free Servant, Sue J Love