Living a life of love

As christians our lives should be marked by love. Love for God, love for our neighbors, and love for all. In today’s culture, an alarming amount of people know christians by their hypocrisy, judgement, and intolerance.

Though I am sure this is only partially our fault, I want to encourage my brothers and sisters this Valentine’s Day (and every day) to show others the love, mercy, and kindness that Christ shows us daily.

Speaking from experience, it is so easy for me to read about love and patience, and then be very easily irritated by my sister, or lose my patience when someone is speaking slowly.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23

My challenge to us is to remember the verses above, It is our job to show the love of Christ to those who don’t know him, So forgive the inexcusable, love your enemies, and bless those who curse you. I left some of my favorite “love” verses below and I this encourages you to spread love this Valentine’s Day!

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Luke 6:35

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4:19

And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. 2 John 1:6

he does not treat us as our sins deserve
    or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him; Psalm 103:10-11

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:12-13

Happy Valentine’s Day!

Love,

Hope & Moriah