How Are You Loving Others?
“Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.” (1 John 4:7 CSB)
The other day in my Latin class, we were discussing the different words in Latin for “love.” The Latin words amo and diligo are closely related to the Greek words eros and agape. We jokingly talked about how the English word for “love” can mean anything from I love potato chips to I love my Grandma, which are quite different types of love. In Latin and Greek, we can use different words to convey different meanings, but in English, we rely on context and inference.
In 1 John 4:7, the Latin translation for the word “love” are forms of diligo; the Greek is forms of agape. Both are defined as selfless and sacrificial types of love. Vastly different from amo and eros, which are romantic, longing, and sometimes lustful types of love. Diligo and agape love require action and putting others above yourself.
So we love tacos, we love to binge-watch Netflix, we love our car, we love our house, we love the beach, we love chocolate, we love sunny days. What does all this love mean? These are all good things, but how does God want us to love people? (Hint: It is different from how we love tacos.)
Loving Biblically
“‘Teacher, which command in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Matt. 22:36-39 CSB)
The context of this verse is someone asking Jesus what the greatest commandment is. Again, the Latin word diligo is used to mean “love” in these verses. Our love for God and for others is not a passive thing. We have to get out there and do some work!
First things first: love God. When we love God and actively pursue our relationship with him, loving others is easier. I have seen a Facebook meme show up in my feed several times that rings true. It says you will never look into the eyes of someone whom God does not love.
That neighbor who irritates you—God loves them. That person who cut in front of you in the grocery store line—God loves them. That person who is only nice to your face—God loves them. That person who drives you crazy with their politics—God loves them. God loves everyone, and so should we.
Somehow, we have equated loving others with 100-percent agreement with everything they say or do and/or with condoning their behavior. This is simply not true. It is not what real love looks like. We need to look at people with a new perspective, with a godly perspective. It will totally change our attitude.
Loving others and seeing them from God’s perspective does not negate imposing healthy boundaries. We have to look at each situation individually and decide the best way to show God’s love in each situation. The important thing is that we are intent on showing God’s love to the best of our ability.
Christians need to reflect God’s love to everyone. Our desire should be that people see God’s glory through our works, actions, and speech. That is our one job—show others God’s glory.
Dear Lord, Thank you for first loving us and giving the ultimate sacrifice for us. Guide us and give us opportunities to show others that sacrificial love through our everyday actions. Amen.
Scripture for Reflection
“We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and yet hates his brother or sister, he is a liar. For the person who does not love his brother or sister whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And we have this command from him: The one who loves God must also love his brother and sister.” (1 John 4:19-21 CSB)
“Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love—but the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor. 13:13 CSB)
“But God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8 CSB)
“No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:15-16 CSB)
“Mankind, he has told each of you what is good and what it is the Lord requires of you: to act justly, to love faithfulness, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Mic. 6:8 CSB)
Reach for More
What is something you can actively do to show God’s love today? It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture. It can be a simple smile or text. Pray and ask the Lord to show you someone who needs love today and what you can do to show it to them.
is a writer, blogger, and middle school teacher. She and her husband live in Georgia with their three children. In addition to teaching and writing, Dana loves to read, paddle board, and sometimes run. She blogs about faith, family, and enjoying the everyday life at danaherndon.com.
Photograph © Michael Fenton, used with permission
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