Living and expressing Love

Love is the greatest force there is. It comes from God and transforms our lives. But what is love? How can we understand and express it in our daily lives?
"God is love; and he who abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him." (1 John 4:16)
Love according to God is not just a feeling, is a decision, a commitment. It's choosing to love even when it's difficult, to love unconditionally and sincerely.
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1. Understanding love according to the Bible

In 1 Corinthians 13, the Bible gives us a clear definition of love:
"Love is patient, it is full of kindness; love is not envious; love does not boast, it is not puffed up with pride, it does nothing dishonest, it does not seek its own interest, it is not irritated, it does not suspect evil." (1 Corinthians 13:4-5)
Love patiently forgives, cares for others and seeks to do good.
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2. Expressing love every day

1. Loving God first
- Spend time with him, talk to him in prayer and meditate on his word.
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." (Matthew 22:37)
2. Love your neighbor as yourself
- Be kind, help those who need it, encourage and support others.
"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39)
3. Forgiveness and patience
- Don't hold grudges, be patient with others as God is with you.
"Bear with one another, and, if one has cause to complain of the other, forgive one another." (Colossians 3:13)
4. Expressing love through actions
- Love also means taking action: helping, listening, encouraging and giving without expecting anything in return.
"Little children, let us not love in word and tongue, but in deed and truth." (1 John 3:18)
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3. A beautiful love story: The Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37)

Jesus tells the story of a man who was traveling and was attacked by thieves. Two people passed by without helping him, but a Samaritan (a foreigner despised at the time) stopped. He took care of the wounded man, nursed him back to health and paid for him to be put up.
- This story teaches us that true love transcends differences. It's not just about words, it's about actions.
"Go, and you do the same." (Luke 10:37)
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4. Love produces life, peace and joy

When we choose to love :
- We receive inner peace.
- We create joy all around us.
- We reflect the heart of God.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith." (Galatians 5:22)
Today, choose to love with sincerity and truth. Love God, love others and love yourself. Love transforms everything!

Shalom