Christian Devotional - Love, part 2

What is love?




Have you ever stopped to ask yourself that question? In the
English language especially, we use that word to mean so many different types
of love. I love my husband, I love my kids, I love my car, I love Italian food,
I love… you get the idea. While all of that may be true, I certainly don’t
demonstrate and act on that love in the same way.
This month we’re looking at love from the eyes of one who
came to be known as the disciple whom Jesus loved. John wrote the letter of 2
John to the church and in it we find some beautiful truths about love. Check
out last week’s devotional here. This we, we’re continuing and will see the definition
of love.



2 John 4-6 “It has given me great joy to find some of your
children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. And now, dear
lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the
beginning. I ask that we love one another. 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.”



There it is, clear as day. What is love? Love is that “we
walk in obedience to his commands.” Yep, walk, which requires action. We can’t
say that we love God if we are not doing actions. Plus, it’s not just any
action, we are to do what He commands us to do. This is not a new command. He’s
told us to do this from the beginning. He’s commanded us to do this. We are to
walk in love. How do we walk in love? By obeying.



It sounds so simple and really, it is simple. We just have
to do it. We can’t work up love. We can’t intend to love. We can’t even fake
love. Love is obedience to Jesus Christ. We love by being obedient. How am I to
love my husband? I love him by being obedient to Jesus Christ in every area of
my life. How am I to love my kids? I love them by being obedient to Jesus
Christ in every area of my life. By placing Jesus Christ first and loving Him
by obeying Him, I am able to love everyone else I am around.



Having problems in your relationships? Chances are it’s a
love issue. Are you loving Jesus Christ by being obedient to His commands? If
the answer is no, take some time and refocus on your love for Jesus. It will
make a world of difference!



Kristi Burchfiel, Christian devotional author and speaker

Living in the World – Living out the Word

Check out my website and daily devotions either on my blog or on my Facebook page



NEW BOOK OUT! "The Daily Devotional Series: 365 Devotions Through the New Testament" is now available as an ebook.



www.BooksByAmanda.com