What if we loved, truly loved.

Not as the songs declare, the culture defines, or the movies depict neither as one’s feelings dictate or one’s opinion perceives.

But what if we loved as defined by Love Himself, the only true God whose character is actual love.

What if we died to ourselves for the glory of God and the joy of another.

What if we encouraged one another and built each other up.

What if our thoughts and words weren’t primarily for ourselves but were for the delight of the Father and the true good of others.

What if we spoke the truth to one another, even if it is uncomfortable, not to shame but to mutually grow in grace and transformation.

What if we hid nothing but allowed another to weep with us when we weep or stumble along the roadside and to rejoice with us in joy and success.

What if we knew one another fully and loved without hindrance.

What if we prayerfully waged war for another, against their hard places and biggest temptations, against our interactions, and against the world.

What if we took no pleasure in evil but rejoiced in the truth.

What if we bore all things, believed all things, hoped all things, endured all things.

What if we loved, truly loved.

Love defined.

Love expressed.

“We love because He first loved us.” I John 4:19

“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” I Corinthians 13:4-7