1 Corinthians 16:14, New International Version

“Do everything in love.”

A more complete way to say 1 Corinthians 16:14 is this: “Let everything you do be done in love [motivated and inspired by God’s love for us].” (Amplified Bible)

It is not the love we define according to culture, our generation, or the world, but it is divinely given and understood. It is received through insights, wisdom, and knowledge that originates from above – God Himself, rather than human intellect alone. It through the demonstration of God, Jesus, Himself, instead of a lip service. (Matthew 15:8) If we read the Word of God, we will know Jesus pointed out the difference of outward works and the inner heart to the Pharisees and the widow, also the Pharisees and the tax collector. (Luke 18) What does it lead us to understand? Let’s look at the decisions and actions between Jesus and His disciples:

“One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could lay his hands on them and pray for them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him. But Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.’ And he placed his hands on their heads and blessed them before he left.” (Matthew 19:13-15, NLT)

“But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, ‘Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?’ But Jesus turned and rebuked them.” (Luke 9:53-55, NLT)

If these two cases are still not enough for you to recognize the love of Jesus, how about the parable of the good Samaritan? (Luke 10:25-37) A person would not just address the need, they would go the extra mile to take care of the need (Matthew 5:41), the hurting, the weary … rather than think of themselves and their own righteousness.

Maybe you will understand through Jesus’ forgiveness and healing of a paralyzed man? (Matthew 9:1-8) Or when Jesus ate with Matthew, a tax collector and called him to be his disciple? (Matthew 9:9-13) How about the woman who was caught in adultery and who Jesus did not throw a stone at? (John 8:1-11) What about when Jesus allowed the woman to wash His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair? (Luke 7:36-50)

Listen to this, Jesus’ direct words: I desire mercy, not sacrifice. (Matthew 9:12)

I hope that we will learn to be more like Jesus, whatever we do, whatever we are called to, in great missions or a small act, whatever part of the body we are … may everything we do be done, motivated, and inspired by God’s love for us.