I am a child of the ‘80s. I love most everything about that decade…especially the music. A band out of Boston, Massachusetts started in 1975 and still is touring today. Of course, their name is Boston. They’ve had a great many hits. One of those songs is named “More than a Feeling.” Go ahead and sing the line…you know it!
However, the Apostle John reminds us that the love of God is more than a feeling, it’s a daily lifestyle. As a matter of fact, Paul the Apostle even says in Ephesians 5, “Imitate God (everyday)”. So how do I know how to imitate God?
Well, Jesus tells his disciples in John 14, “It you have seen me, then you’ve seen the Father. Me and the Father are one.” As a follower of Jesus, I simply need to look at the life of Jesus, found in any of the four gospels, and do what Jesus did…live like Jesus…love like Jesus.
You see, John tells us in his letter, 1 John, that love is how we know God. John says, “God IS love.” Most of us imagine him as a harsh referee, or a detached inventor, or a spoiling grandpa but none of these pictures are true. We realize that our God is a good, good Father. That imagine is used 245 times in the New Testament. So if God is a loving Father and we are called to imitate him, then we should also be loving in our life.
Love is also how we see God. In 1 John 4, John reminds us that God loved us before we ever loved him. We are called to this lifestyle of love if you claim to follow Jesus. God showed us his love by sending his only son while we were still sinners. Get your head wrapped around that! While you were rebelling against God, Jesus came for you anyway! What a wonderful God we serve!!
Some ways we might let others see this love of God in is right now could look like helping your older neighbor with the yard work or taking baked goods to those who are shut up in their houses. It might be just handing out cold water at a local event or march. Maybe you could write letters of encouragement to your city leaders letting them know you are praying with them over the city. Or sending a thank you card to the administrators at the school your child attends telling them you are praying for their wisdom and discernment during this difficult season of school.
Because love is how we follow God and we are indebted to him to do so. We ought to be loving on each other, not hating nor being mean-spirited. We follow Jesus and his life reflects a person who was inclusive, loving, forgiving, full of grace and mercy.
The word for “love” John uses every time is the Greek word “agape”. This word specifically means “unconditional love”. Love with no strings attached. As followers of Jesus, we do not say, “I’ll love you as long as you do what I want, say what I want you to say, live how I think you should live.” We love even our enemies unconditionally.
God reminds us of how much He loves us in John 3:16. He sent his son so no one would perish but all would have eternal life. And for those of us who follow God’s Son, we were adopted into his family. As children of God then, we follow or act like the Father.
So, be someone who transforms the world around you for good. Be someone who loves unconditionally. Be someone who shines the light of Jesus in everything you do. Blessings on your journey.