There are acts we do where attitude is important in sustaining those actions on an ongoing basis. Are we maintaining the proper attitude for living and interacting as we ought?
Consider this. How would my wife feel if I said to her, “I told you I loved you when we got married. I’ll let you know if anything changes.”? My wife wants to know I love her by being told and shown daily that I do. It makes for a healthy relationship. To maintain a loving attitude keeps me mindful of how I am to live in a proper relationship with her. It is the same in our view toward God and toward one another.
Loving is not merely about saying the words (note 1 John 3:18) or by doing a single act, but the manner in which we continually live that reveals the genuineness of our love. Love is to be an ongoing expression of our life.
Writing to Christians at Ephesus, Paul exhorted. . .
“(1) Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. (2) And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV)
Love is to remain a part of our manner of living. It is not merely like going someplace to do it in a single act — though a single act of love can be a powerful thing — but a part of our daily walk. We are to walk in love.
In connection with this walking in love, note Paul began by urging to be imitators of God. Do we recognize where that ought to draw the focus to feed an ongoing attitude of love as we walk on in life?
We have every reason to love as John wrote. . .
“(19) We love because he first loved us.” (1 John 4:19 ESV)
God loved us first! It all started with Him! That is a foundational reason for loving to be a part of our life. To duly acknowledge how much God loves us ought to naturally feed our ongoing love for Him and for others.
Now, before we begin to excuse ourselves by thinking of some we consider to not be worthy of loving, consider how God has loved. God did not love us because we were so loveable, but because we stood in need of the provision He lovingly provided. Despite our sinfulness, God’s great love was demonstrated through Christ giving His life for us. (Romans 5:8) And every day humanity is provided is a sign of God’s loving patience as He provides opportunity for repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
John encouragingly noted. . .
“(16) So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.” (1 John 4:16 ESV)
We are to abide in love. Since God is love (1 John 4:8), abiding in love and abiding in God ought to be considered one and the same. As we abide in a relationship with God, may love be an abiding attitude for feeding the manner in which we live our daily life!
Have a great day LIVING GOD’S INTENDED LOVE LIFE!
Carl
