The Story

Love is more than polite words or kind behavior. Those things matter, but they are not the root of true love. Biblical love begins with a heart that loves God above everything else. If our hearts do not live before God, we will use people for our comfort, success, or image. We may appear kind, while quietly demanding that others meet our needs. Jesus loved the Father perfectly, and because he loved the Father, he loved sinners faithfully to the cross. He did not love us because we were lovely, but because he is holy love. When relationships are hard, do not begin only by asking how the other person should change. Ask whether your heart is loving God. The Spirit makes love for God flow outward in patient love for others. Prayer Father, worthy of highest love, I praise you because you loved first and teach your children to love rightly. Forgive me for using people for my comfort and calling it love. Thank you for Jesus Christ, who loved the Father and loved sinners to the cross. Holy Spirit, teach me to love God and neighbor sincerely. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.