Pastor Sabrina Slimmer
Keymar Evangelical Wesleyan Church
(2/1) Love is often seen as an emotion—something that comes and goes, depending on how we feel at any given moment. We hear people say, "I’m in love," or "I fell out of love," as though love is simply a fleeting feeling between two people. But is love really just an emotion? To understand what love truly is, we must look beyond emotions and examine love through a Biblical lens. The life and sacrifice of Jesus Christ offers us the clearest definition of love—one that is active, sacrificial, and not dependent on fleeting feelings. Love, as demonstrated in the Bible, is not a feeling but an intentional choice to act in kindness, sacrifice, and compassion.
Love is Not a Feeling, But an Action
To begin understanding love from a Biblical perspective, we turn to the Apostle John, who defines love not as a mere feeling but as an action. In 1 John 4:9-10, we read:
"This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."
Notice how love is described not by a feeling but by the actions of God and Jesus. The passage highlights verbs like "showed," "sent," "live," and "sacrifice." None of these words are dependent on an emotional experience. God’s love was demonstrated through action—through sending His Son to die for the sins of the world, even though humanity did not deserve such an act of grace. If love were solely a feeling, we might expect God’s love to be based on how well humanity treated Him or whether He "felt" love for us. But instead, God’s love transcends feelings and is shown through purposeful actions.
Love That Is Unconditional and Sacrificial
In the Bible, God's love is described as unconditional and sacrificial. Despite humanity's flaws, rebellion, and sin, God chose to love us. He did not wait for us to "earn" His love or prove our worth. He loved us first, and that love was demonstrated through the ultimate sacrifice: Jesus Christ’s death on the cross. In verse 10, we are reminded: "This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins."
This sacrifice is the embodiment of love—a love that does not depend on feelings but on a commitment to give, even in the face of rejection or unworthiness. If God’s love were based on feelings, how could He love a people who frequently turn away from Him? Yet, in His great mercy, God’s love remains steady and unwavering. Jesus didn’t die for humanity because we were perfect or deserving; He died because love is not about feelings, but about choosing to act in grace, mercy, and sacrifice.
The Transformative Power of God’s Love
The power of God’s love is not only in its constancy but also in its transformative nature. When we accept God’s love, it changes how we see ourselves, others, and the world. The Bible tells us that God's love is so profound that it leads to transformation, redemption, and healing. When we embrace Jesus as our Savior, we experience a love that sees us not for our mistakes or failures, but for who we were created to be— "in the image of God."
Jesus, who saw beyond the surface of people's lives, didn’t focus on their flaws or sins. He saw them as they were intended to be beloved children of God. His love redeems, restores, and justifies. This is not a passive love—it is active, and it transforms everything it touches. When we embrace this love, it shapes our identities, our relationships, and our mission in the world.
A Call to Act Like Jesus
As Christians, we are called to reflect the love of Jesus in our own lives. While we cannot atone for the sins of others or save them, we are called to lead others to the one who can: Jesus Christ. This love is not just something we feel; it is something we do. Jesus’s love is active, moving, and sacrificial, and we are called to embody this same love in our relationships with others. We should not passively hope that others feel the love of Jesus through us; instead, we must actively seek to see others the way Jesus sees them. This means being vulnerable, allowing ourselves to be interrupted by others, and stepping out of our comfort zones to show compassion and mercy.
This year, let us not sit idly by. Let us go out into the world and seek to truly see those around us, to love them with the same love that Jesus has shown us. Even when it doesn’t make sense, even when it’s uncomfortable, we are called to show mercy, lend a helping hand, and share the love of Christ. When people ask why we do these things, we can point them to the source of our love—Jesus.
The Unshakable Love of God
In conclusion, love is not a fleeting feeling, but an enduring choice to act in grace, sacrifice, and compassion. God’s love for us is not based on how He feels about us, but on His unshakable commitment to us. He loves us through action, through sending His Son to redeem and restore us. As we embrace this love, we are called to reflect it in our own lives, to act with mercy and compassion, and to share the transformative power of God's love with others.
You are seen, known, and loved by God. His love is a love you can trust—because He has proven it through more than 2,000 years of faithfulness. As you rest in His love, let it empower you to love others in the same way. Our victory is not found in our strength, but in our faith in Jesus Christ, the one who has already overcome the world and defeated death. Through Him, we are more than conquerors.
Hold fast to the love of God, and let it guide your life and your interactions with others. Through His love, we can overcome the challenges of this world and live in the victory He has already won for us.
To learn more about Keymar Wesleyan Chuch visit them at www.keymarwesleyan.org or better yet, join them for Sunday service at 1011 Francis Scott Key Hwy, Keymar
