This week is all about love. Love is a word we use with trivial passing

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you?  For even sinners love those who love them.  If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you?  For even sinners do the same.  If you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you?  Even sinners lend to sinners in order to receive back the same amount.  But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.  Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:32-36).

If we only love other Christians, we are no different than unbelievers, for even they love other unbelievers. But when we limit our love to only other believers, what credit is that? We gain nothing. Instead, Jesus calls us to love unbelievers as well because our God Himself is kind and merciful to ungrateful and evil people—to unbelievers.

It’s easy to do things for people by just going through the motions or out of obligation, but if you don’t love that you’re doing it for the benefit of that person and for the glory of God, then it means nothing. We aren’t expected to be 100% perfect in this First Corinthians list, but it has been given to us as a guideline on how to love others as Christ does. We ought to pray that Christ empower us to love in these ways to the best of our ability.

Here are some songs to inspire you this week. They will allow you to focus on being spirited and knowing that love is shown in this world by what we do.

Todd Delaney ‘Your Great Name’

NEEDTOBREATHE ‘Forever On Your Side’

Elevation Worship ‘Here Comes Heaven’

Jonathan Nelson ‘I Agree’