“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)

As we continue to examine this verse in 1 Timothy, we now focus on love.  The graphic above sums up how we, as believers, are to love. Jesus Himself told us what our priorities are when it comes to love:

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.   And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40 (NIV)

Jesus gave this answer to someone who had asked what was the greatest commandment and by His answer we see that expressing love, to God first, then to each other, is of the utmost importance.  Nothing else we can ever do will replace this command to love.  If we want others to know Jesus Christ, then we must display His love – no matter the person or circumstance.

Loving some people is easy but sometimes loving others is hard.  Not everyone is loveable and yet we are still called to show love.  Love is an action, not just a feeling.  We have to choose to love others.   If we are going to set an example in love, we must be loving toward everyone – not just the people we are naturally drawn to.

And how do we love when it’s hard?  We pray.

We pray for the love of Christ to fill us and by the power of the Holy Spirit, we express that love toward others.  In other words, we let the love of Christ flow through us, to others.  We become vessels that can be poured out so others can experience the love of God.

The apostle Paul helps us to know just what this type of love looks like:

 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
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 record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.  1 Corinthians 13:1-7 (NIV)

This demonstration of love is only possibly by the power of Christ indwelling the heart of those who belong to Him.  Jesus Himself is our example of love.  Let us be faithful to Him by showing His love to everyone.