I heard a pastor friend the other day share these words, "Love well!"
Love is a very active word. It is filled with richness and depth. It goes beyond loving a thing such as a car or pet. Paul encouraged the church at Corinth with these words:
"Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it — because it does" (1 Cor. 14:1 Message)
In fact, Paul describes love as a verb by defining it in 1 Cor 13:4-7 (Message)
Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn't want what it doesn't have.
Love doesn't strut,
Doesn't have a swelled head,
Doesn't force itself on others,
Isn't always "me first,"
Doesn't fly off the handle,
Doesn't keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn't revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.
This my friend is "loving well." The greatest commandment is love God. The second is "Love others." The problem is we define who "others" are. God defines "others" as ALL. When will we stop choosing who to love and will start loving all? Its then that we will "love well."
