Love in the In-Between - Devotion 1
The Definition of Love
“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
The definition of love is something that has been sung about, talked about, and redefined over the years. We have “Stopped, in the name of love.” Some have “just called to say I love you,” and love has been “unforgettable.” (You can Google those if you are not sure what songs I am talking about.) We hear that love conquers all, that love is blind, and that love is love no matter what.
However, the more we attempt to define love, the further away we get from the real definition of love. I mean, I love tacos, and I love my wife and kids. Are they the same?
What is love? (“Baby, don’t hurt me…” Okay, I will stop.)
We have to know that there is only one definition of love, and that is God Himself. God defines love because He is love (1 John 4:8). How God acts in the world and how He came to the earth shows how He loves. Love is sacrificial (1 John 3:16), love covers wrongs (1 Peter 4:8), and there is no fear in love (1 John 4:18).
You have probably heard the verse above many times at weddings or regarding married love. However, there is so much truth about love in these verses that must be applied and understood from the reality that Jesus came as love for us.
Jesus came to us as a baby boy. Can you think about what that had to have been like (if you can, I am not sure I can either)? Jesus, the Son of God for all of eternity, has now come to earth, put on the skin on of those He created, and came as a helpless baby boy. He came to be Emmanuel, God with us. He came because humanity was (and still is) in a desperate state, mired and scarred by sin. He came to be love for us.
His coming shows us His patience; even though we have failed, He has not forsaken us. He is kind in that He actually came! He did not envy anyone, nor was there any boasting at His birth. There was no arrogance or rudeness at the manger. His coming made a way for us to know God where there was no way. His coming showed grace and mercy, not irritability or resentfulness toward anyone. His coming in no way rejoiced at wrongdoing, but revealed the truth that He alone is the way, the truth, and the life. He bore our sin, trusted the plan of God the Father, and endured suffering for our freedom.
His coming proclaims that His love never ends.
Did you hear that? His love never ends. It never ends. He is the Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace. His love points to truth and never rejoices in wrong or sin. His love gives grace and mercy when anyone comes to Him.
Have you come to Him this Christmas? Have you given your heart to Him? Do you know Him? I cannot think of a better Christmas present than knowing Jesus as Savior.
Tomorrow is Christmas Eve. We will have the opportunity to gather with family, possibly attend a Christmas Eve gathering at church, and maybe even open a present or two, depending on your family traditions. Children will be dreaming of what Christmas Day will bring, but maybe you will be struggling with what Christmas will not be.
Wherever you are tomorrow, know that you are loved by Jesus, who came to be your Emmanuel and to be with you. He came for you.
Do you know His love? Do you know Him?