Love is a difficult thing, is it not? We use this one word to describe our feelings for everything from peanut butter to our spouse. Is it any wonder that when we read about love in the Scriptures we can’t fully understand it?

Think about what the Bible tells us of love:

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son…” – John 3:16

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

“And walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us…” – Ephesians 5:2

Honestly, how can we understand a love that is willing to give itself up for us? A love that would die for us while we were in sin, breathing hate and animosity towards the one willing to save us? Most of us can’t even love those who look different much less one who despises us. Yet, we are called to love as Christ loves.

So, how do we do this? How do we love others as Christ loved us?

Scripture says this: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8

God is love and He teaches His children how to love. He empowers us to love others and love is a sign that we are truly His children. Is it easy? No way. BUT, I believe when we can love outside of ourselves, outside of our feelings, outside of circumstances, that is when the love of God is manifested through us to others. It is then that we prove God is love to others, and then that we experience His love working through us.