Devotional: Showcase Love 1 John 3:13-19

“We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 Jn. 3:16, NASB).

“What the world needs now is love, sweet love. It’s the only thing that there’s just too little of… no not just for some but for everyone.” These words come to us from famous song bird Dionne Warwick and song writer Burt Bacharach in the year 1966. The words to this song suggest to us that the most pressing need in the world is love. This love is not romantic love. It is not having love for individuals that we share some things in common. It’s not even love for people that are in our circle of living. You see the song says that the whole world needs love. The world has everything that it needs but love. So, what is love?

The word love is used by the writer to express benevolence. Love refers to a social and moral sense. Love is not limited to a feeling. Love does not like someone. Rather it is doing what is right in a manner that demonstrates God’s love for the whole human family. The Johannine writer tells us that the children of God are to have that love for one another. It is difficult to have a mutual love with the world. “Do not be surprised, brethren, if the world hates you” (3:13, NASB). However, we cannot return hate to those who hate us. Jesus says: “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men” (Lk. 6:35, NASB).

During this COVID-19 pandemic we are seeing some of the worst in people come out. These people need love. They need to know that the children of God care for them. This love must be showcased by the people of God so that the world might see a God that loves all people whether good or bad. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8, NASB). Thus, it is not good enough for us to say to people, “God loves you.” Instead the children of God are to showcase God’s love by how we treat one another. The world will see God’s love by what we do. Then, the world will be drawn to the people of God and the opportunity is made available for the people of God to tell those persons in the world about salvation in Jesus Christ and the hope of eternal life.

Prayer: Lord, we welcome every opportunity to showcase the love of God that is in our hearts. Amen.