True Love is More than a Feeling
True love is not just a feeling or emotion. It is a living principle that shows itself in actions. True love controls the way we live. Ellen White says, “True love is not merely a sentiment or an emotion. It is a living principle, a principle that is manifest in action. True love, wherever it exists, will control the life.”
The Nature of True Love
True love, as described in the Bible, has specific qualities. The apostle Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:
"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. Prophecy and speaking in unknown languages and special knowledge will become useless. But love will last forever."
This passage describes love as patient and kind, never jealous or boastful. True love is humble and respectful, not selfish or easily angered. It forgives and finds joy in the truth. Love protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres through all things. These qualities of love reflect the nature of God's love for us and the love we are called to show others.
When we understand love in this way, we see that it is much more than a feeling. It is a commitment to act with patience, kindness, and forgiveness. It means always seeking the good of others and rejoicing in the truth. True love, as Paul describes, mirrors the love God has for us and challenges us to love each other with the same depth and sincerity.
Love Versus Feelings
Feelings are emotions that can change from moment to moment. They are often influenced by circumstances, situations, and even our physical state. Feelings can be strong but temporary, like happiness when we receive good news or sadness when we face difficulties. They are a natural part of human experience but are not always reliable guides for our actions.
Love, on the other hand, is a steadfast commitment and principle that guides our actions regardless of how we feel at any given moment. True love is consistent and enduring. It involves making choices that benefit others, even when it is difficult. Love is patient and kind, as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.
True love is about actions and attitudes, not just emotions. Love is about being patient and kind, not envious or boastful, and it always seeks the best for others.
God's Love in Creation
God showed His love when He created the world. When He made the earth, it was holy and beautiful. God said it was "very good" (Genesis 1:31). Everything, from flowers to trees, was perfect and showed God's love. All of nature was beautiful and made people think about God's love. Every sound was like music, in harmony with God's voice.
Even though we don't see the full beauty of Eden today, nature still shows us God's love. The Bible says, "The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord" (Psalm 33:5). Nature shows us the work of a powerful and kind Creator. The green fields, tall trees, sunshine, clouds, dew, silent nights, stars, and the moon all show God's power and love.
Not a single drop of rain falls or a ray of light shines without showing God's patience and great love.
God's Love in Redemption
Satan tried to stop God's love from reaching people by leading them to sin. But instead, God showed even more of His mercy and goodness. God revealed His love through the sacrifice of His Son. The Bible says, "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).
When Adam sinned, he brought misery to all people. God could have abandoned us. He could have let us face the punishment we deserve. He could have wiped out humanity. But He didn't. Instead, He came closer to us. He gave His Son to become one of us. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14). Jesus' life on earth showed how much God loves us.
God's Ultimate Sacrifice
God gave us everything through Jesus. In giving Christ, He gave all of heaven. Jesus, who was with God before the world began, came to suffer and die for us. The Bible says, "He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities" (Isaiah 53:5). Jesus' suffering and death show God's immense love and desire to save us. This is how God's love is. The Bible says, "God is love." 1 John 4:8. We see God's character in everything He does and in how He deals with people.
God sent Jesus to free us from Satan's control. He came to proclaim liberty to the captives (Isaiah 61:1). By giving us Jesus, God bought our hearts and minds. When we accept God's control, we are filled with love and become strong to do what is right.
God's Love in Daily Life
God's love is shown in everyday life. The Bible says, "In Him we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). Every breath we take is a gift from God. The great God lives for the benefit of His creation, not for Himself.
Jesus' Example of Love
Satan's way is to serve himself. He tried to make people think that God was selfish. But Jesus showed that true love is unselfish. He spent His whole life serving others. Jesus healed all who came to Him and spoke words of eternal life. He said, "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).
Jesus' life showed God's character. The Bible says, "God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself" (2 Corinthians 5:19).
Sulad Jhun Cardeinte writes from Thailand.
Write a comment
Linie Joy Butal (Tuesday, 18 June 2024 18:25)
Amen! Happy Midweek ✨
Zai (Tuesday, 18 June 2024)
Amen. Praise God. Happy Mid-week .
Millynkiah@gmail (Tuesday, 18 June 2024 18:54)
Amen
Mae Joy Valdez (Tuesday, 18 June 2024 18:58)
Amen �� thank you kaayu sa pagpa remind Isaiah 53:5 � its a wakeup call saakoa nga magbago and to express Love properly, genuinely ❤️� thank you . Salamat kaayu Ginoo saimohang undying love ❤️.
Ghislaine Flaure DOMCHE (Tuesday, 18 June 2024 19:37)
Amen
God bless you in Jesus mighty name �
Thank you
Gar Gian Teves (Tuesday, 18 June 2024 20:04)
We thank you so much for Endless love �
kwagalakwe Aidah (Tuesday, 18 June 2024 20:05)
How can i turn feelings into true love�
Karen (Tuesday, 18 June 2024 20:16)
Thank you so much for the devotion. Today's topic on love got me thinking how ungrateful I am to God who bestows His love unconditionally and I don't show even half of it to fellow mankind. Unless we know God as our personal Saviour, it is not easy to comprehend what true love is.
Rutendo (Tuesday, 18 June 2024 20:33)
His love for us is so immeasurable
Triple A (Tuesday, 18 June 2024 20:54)
Thanks for blessing me!
Thanks for inspiring the world with the message of hope!
Tendai Gwewo (Tuesday, 18 June 2024 21:02)
Amen and amen. May the Lord Almighty give us strength to embrace love as a living principle not as an emotion which is temporary.
Pr sayi Makolo (Tuesday, 18 June 2024 21:23)
Mungu atukuzwe sana kwa pendo lake hili
Obed Jaslin (Tuesday, 18 June 2024 21:51)
Thanks very much for the devotion of date 18th June 2024 I really learnt a lot indeed God's love for us is endless and we really need to portray the same love.
Amusavi (Tuesday, 18 June 2024 22:05)
hambled to learn love as a principle...
Clement (Tuesday, 18 June 2024 22:08)
Amen. Thank you for sharing.
Mathew Simiyu (Tuesday, 18 June 2024 22:09)
It is undeniably a principle to be seen and heard of. One that lasts and stands the test of time.
Mercy (Tuesday, 18 June 2024 22:26)
I was blessed
Annie Nyondo (Tuesday, 18 June 2024 22:36)
Amen this has helped me to realize that l need to love with true love and not feelings. It's a wake up call for me. Thank you � �
Redgeb Chilundu (Tuesday, 18 June 2024 22:48)
Amen. God's Love is Immeasurable,
Ivan rwothongeo (Tuesday, 18 June 2024 23:30)
We thank for using you teach and remind us of the principles of true love, not feelings. Many christians confuse the two.
Thanks for sharing..
Daudi (Tuesday, 18 June 2024 23:33)
How can I share this message (link please)
Sabano Ritah From Uganda (Tuesday, 18 June 2024 23:39)
For you for the message it's exactly what I needed �
Talent Meja (Tuesday, 18 June 2024 23:54)
Thanks
Bright Sampson Adimele (Wednesday, 19 June 2024 00:21)
I am so blessed and encouraged with this message of God's love and the Bible based explaination of love. Because of biases, hatred, ill-feelings, jealousy, and every other negative experience, some people have misunderstood and misapplied the real biblical meaning of love as explained through this presentation. May you continue to be an instrument in God's hands. Shalom!
Rispar Seurei (Wednesday, 19 June 2024 00:36)
Thank you for this wonderful message .
Enocl (Wednesday, 19 June 2024 00:38)
Amen
John Rocco (Wednesday, 19 June 2024 01:04)
Sure love conquered everything ❤
William Msimuko (Wednesday, 19 June 2024 01:51)
Amen � wonderful message �
Amanda (Wednesday, 19 June 2024 01:57)
Thank you Pastor, I have experienced God's love through a miracle in my life. All I can say is Thank Lord for Your undying love.
Anane Francis Karikari (Wednesday, 19 June 2024 02:26)
Well noted. Thank you God bless you.
Jay (Wednesday, 19 June 2024 05:09)
Amen.
The power of unconditional Love
It's time Love must be seen through Action, as commitment or requirement.
Thanks for the sharing
God Bless y'all.
LINET OGUTU (Wednesday, 19 June 2024 05:33)
Amen
Freeman Sunga (Wednesday, 19 June 2024 08:36)
today's lesson is very powerful love is the center of everything even God Loved this world for him to give us Jesus AMEN
Chan Hoth (Wednesday, 19 June 2024 10:11)
This topic is very interesting and inspired for those people who study it.
when you prepare another topic please update me.
God bless you
Chewed prospelina (Wednesday, 19 June 2024 11:42)
I like the definitions of love,love shares,being patient to one another and being helpful,kind and trust and so on.
Pethrisha (Wednesday, 19 June 2024 17:32)
Amen �
Cinda Elias (Thursday, 20 June 2024 07:09)
Glory to God!
God's love is amazing.
Dennis (Thursday, 20 June 2024 14:18)
Hello
Mathew Simiyu (Wednesday, 26 June 2024 04:37)
Amen.
Johanna (Sunday, 14 July 2024 20:33)
https://www.suladsthailand.com ,
to those that want the �link here it is.
May the Lord richly bless you Pastor for your great work. We are learning a lot, may God transform all of us .