It Starts Small

The command to love is at the heart of what it means to be a Christian. Jesus preached that to love God and others are the greatest commands. The call to live a life marked by love is a consistent message found throughout Scriptures. When the apostle Paul wrote to the church of Corinth, he instructed them to do everything in love. Love is not something we should do when it is right or we feel like it. Jesus said:

³⁷ He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. ³⁸ This is the greatest and most important command. ³⁹ The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.

Matthew 22:37-39

What is Jesus and later Paul, talking about? What does it mean to do all things in love?

We just concluded a study of 1 Corinthians 13. Paul went into great lengths to explain what love means. This earlier passage helps give context and meaning to what it means to do everything in love. To do everything in love means we intentionally make choices each day out of love that results in being patient, kind, and forgiving. We can live in ways that reflect obedience and trust in God by doing everything in love.

Doing everything in love holds our motives accountable to righteousness rather than selfish gain. When our words and actions are motivated by love, it means we do nothing out of selfish ambition or to make ourselves look good in front of others. Doing all things out of love helps us be more Christlike.

Paul was certainly disheartened with the opposition and tensions in Corinth, but he demonstrated hope that they would pursue righteousness and follow God’s truth. Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 13:8 that hope endures. This was his example that he hoped the people would hear the Word of God and turn away from the squabbles and issues present in the church. Paul did not give up on the church, but rather, he continued to teach them God’s truth and remained hopeful that they would rid themselves of worldly beliefs that were contrary to God’s truth, sinful behavior, and become more spiritually mature.

The members of the church in Corinth were spiritually immature. They had begun to live in ways that were contrary to righteousness. They were having disagreements about divorce, sexual immorality, and a variety of other issues. These discrepancies resulted in divisions within the church and threatened the unity and longevity of the church.

Paul reminded them to instead do everything in love. What he was teaching them and us is by doing everything in love we accept one another, correct ours and their misbeliefs, and fleeing from sinful behavior. Why do we do this?

It is through love for God and others we grow and deepen in spiritual maturity. When we do everything in love, we can walk in the ways that God would have us do so. It is an active choice to walk in righteousness and leaving the sinful desires we have behind us. It means we will be more like Jesus: patient, kind and humble.

This kind of love means that at times we are going to have to do something hard or uncomfortable for the good of others or to further the gospel. It may bot be easy, but obedience to God is never a choice we will regret.

How do we do everything in love?

It takes intentionality. Love can look different in each day and season in life. We love because God loved us first and Jesus empowers us to do everything in love. We can not love in our own strength or intent, but with God’s help, it becomes possible.

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ so that you may be children of your Father in heaven. For he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.

Matthew 5:43-45

We can show love towards our enemies by praying for them, acting good and kind towards those we do not think deserve it. God says love them, let your motivation be by love, not hate.

Prayer. Showing love may look like praying over others. Check in on someone who is lonely and pray for them. Showing more love can mean getting involved in prayer chains and prayer meetings at your place of worship. Giving your time to pray over others is a powerful way to show love.

Forgiveness. Love can look like forgiveness and mercy. Love lets go of the hate you have towards someone who has hurt you. Love is slow to anger and quick to listen.

Love means that everything is guided by love in our thoughts, actions and words. To do everything in love means we let love guide our choices each day to reflect obedience to Jesus and follow His ways rather than our own. Love means walking the path of becoming more like Jesus who loves all of humanity.

Let each of us live in such a way that we would do everything in love.

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