“Let all that you do be done with love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:14

This is one of my favorite verses in the Bible. Maybe some of you find that strange. Most people like encouraging verses or verses about how amazing our God is. However, the reason that this verse is one of my favorites is that it guides me on how to live my life. Anything and everything I do needs to be done with love. Sometimes we forget how important love is. Jesus called us to show love towards one another.

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” – John 13:34-35

            I know that this can be hard at times. When people hurt you, insult you, belittle you…it’s hard to love someone who does that to you. Trust me, I am no saint. I, myself, have had a hard time loving those who have done me wrong. However, in those times, I ask God to help me forgive them because I know that I can’t do it on my own. God is the only one who can provide me with the strength and the love I need to forgive.

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” – Matthew 5:44-45

            Some people believe that the only people you need to love is your family members. Since they are “the only people you HAVE to deal with” they are the only ones who need/deserve your love. Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. God tells us to love everyone. Think about it this way. Does God only love those who call themselves believers? No. Jesus came to give His life for EVERYONE who existed and will exist in the future. It was a sacrifice that was made out of love for us all. He did that so that ALL would have the opportunity to be saved. We need to love like Jesus.

“For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?” – Matthew 5:46-47

            It’s sad to say, but, this world has forgotten how to love. Instead, they are living by the phrase, “An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”. We need love in our lives. It all starts with a relationship with Jesus. It is only through Him that we can see what true love is. He will guide us and show us how to love one another again. We need to come back to Him. The true source of love.

“We love because he first loved us.” – 1 John 4:19