Love creates life

Just as we can recognize the artist when we see a painting, we are also created to express something about our creator. The Bible says "God is love". Love is therefore a foundational part of the Christian life. Without God’s love we would not be able to live with each other or approach Him, and it is useless to try to communicate God’s word without love.

In practical terms, Christian love is about having a big heart for the people we meet, especially the smallest and weakest people around us. We cannot reach far in our own strength, but with Jesus as Lord we have God’s love as a continual source within us.

«And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us» (Romans 5:5).

Love is sacrificial

While tolerance implies passively accepting difference, love is about actively and willingly giving of oneself and sharing what one has. It is also about standing up for what is true and right, even when it is uncomfortable. True love becomes evident when somebody sets aside their own needs and ambitions to best serve the interests of others.

The apostle Paul writes about true love in a Biblical passage known as the love chapter (1. Corinthians 13). Some years earlier, Jesus had demonstrated this love in His meeting with all kinds of people, from the poor and dejected to the rich and successful.

- Love all, serve all