What does love mean to you? How do you define love? Is it a static word or an action word? A noun or a verb? Is it a feeling or state of being? Is it superficial or does it go deep into the core of your heart? Have you ever stopped to honestly take a hard look at love?
In this broken word, love is often missing. People will say they love and may even display actions that can be interpreted as love, yet they are only projecting that image to get what they want. We see some leverage the gullibility of others, who are seeking love, for personal gain.
God has shown us perfect love. His love is on display for us to see every day. He has purposely shown us His love as an example for us to follow. God’s love has a purpose as well, a pure purpose. His purpose is to draw us to Him, just as it was in the beginning.
In His pure love, God has put our needs ahead of His. He sent His Son to be a perfect sacrifice in order to sanctify us, to make us holy so we can come into His presence. When we are in God’s presence, we experience His glory, much as the apostles experienced the glory of Christ. As we experience His glory, we desire more of it, being in awe of Him.
God also desires unity in His people. Unity is to come through the love we have for God. If we love Him with the same love He has for us, we will also love His people. When we love Him and His people, we will be unified in our mission, fulfilling His plan.
Love and unity in us will demonstrate to the world that Jesus was sent by the Father to be our Lord and Savior. We will show the world the love of God. We will bring about healing, reconciliation, and unity.
I pray we all recognize the love God has for us. I pray we seek to love as He loves. I pray each of us will seek unity in our love for God to bring about reconciliation in this world. Experience God’s glory. Know that you are loved by God. Seek to understand the depth of His love. Love to heal, reconcile, and unify. Show Jesus to the world.
John 17:22-23 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
Marty Pressey 