Love is More Than Enthusiasm John has been called the apostle of love, and I John certainly offers plenty of evidence to show why. For example, he writes that one way to know that we are Gods children is to love him and keep his commandments (I John 5:2). But what does John mean by love? People say they love all kinds of things. One minute they love peanut butter, the next they love their wife or husband. People love their pets, food, sports, vacations, cars, children - whatever! Thankfully, Scripture defines love for us, and it does this by describing Gods love. As we examine various passages, we find that Gods love is: Lasting (Psalm 136; Rom. 8: 38, 39; I Cor. 13: 8) Sacrificial (John 15: 12, 13; Rom 5: 8; II Cor. 5:14, 15; Gal. 2: 20; I John 3: 16,17) Reconciling and healing (Matt. 5:38-48; Luke 6: 27-31; II Cor. 5: 17-19) Effective; it involves not just emotions or words, but deeds that benefit people (I John 3: 18, 19; 4: 19-5: 3) Fearless (Rom. 1: 16; I John 4: 18) Discerning (I Tim. 3: 7; I John 2: 15-17; 4: 1-7) Accepting, not condemning (Luke 15: 11-32, 18: 10-17; John 3: 16, 17; Rom. 8: 1) Generous (Luke 10: 25-37; Rom. 5: 8, 15-17; 6:23; I Cor. 2: 9; I Peter 3: 8,9) Perhaps the best summary of true, godly love is I Cor. 13, the love chapter, where Paul describes the love of God as it needs to be among the believers at Corinth. The ultimate expression of Gods love is Christ, who offered himself up for the sins of the world (John 3: 16). In what ways does your love need to develop? Have you grasped the dimensions of Gods love for you? How can you cultivate Christlike love and make it more tangible in your life, work and relationships?		:: The Challenge of Commitment :: Love is Tough Work :: Love is More Than Enthusiasm :: Commit Ourselves to Believers