Is love really in the air?

Love is in the air. Or that is what the world would have us believe at the beginning of February.

Online adverts abound for that romantic getaway, that perfect gift – and there are a plethora of articles to read on what he/she ‘truly wants’. Of course, for Christians, love is never a seasonal thing. We are called to love our God, love our neighbours (Mark 12:30-31) – even love our enemies (Matt. 5:44) – each and every day. And love, in Biblical terms, is rooted in truth, faithfulness, mercy and grace, not just warm fluffy feelings.

But, while we never want to be guided by worldly priorities, maybe now is a moment to stop and reflect on what it truly means to love those around us. After all, the early theologian Tertullian was reputed to have said of the church: ‘See how they love one another.’ Love is supposed to be front and centre in the life of those who are loved by God, and it is worth checking to see if that is the case.

Are we known as loved?

‘See what great love the Father has lavished on us.’ So begins 1 John 3.

Christians are people who are deeply, profoundly loved by the King who chose, called, redeemed, and adopted us. That love is more than a fleeting feeling – it is the kind of love that brings salvation, brings hope – it is the kind of love that breeds security, contentment, peace, patience, self-control and many other aspects of the Spirit’s fruit.

It is worth asking ourselves the question: do we know we are loved? In theory, yes – but, in practice? Is our acceptance of the Lord’s love for us so deep, that we know beyond any shadow of doubt that we can go to Him with any suffering or sin; that we can trust Him for even the darkest of days; that we can know His good purposes are at work, even when deeply opposed? Knowing we are truly loved is something that should gradually impact every aspect of our being. If it is not – the moment may be here to spend time seeing the depths of the Father’s care of us today.

Are we known as loving?

In the Christian life, our relationships with one another should be similarly characterised by love. Our communities should never be nit-picking, bickering or backbiting – they should never be sin-covering, partisan or cruel. Those are things the Lord has saved us from. He has called us to better – to be sanctified. People who bring dark things into the light so that Christ-centred good can prevail (Eph. 5:11-14). People who avoid foolish talk, but rather focus on thanksgiving (Eph. 5:4). People who build up, not tear down (2 Cor.13:10). People who spur each other on to love and good works (Heb. 10:24), not lay heavy burdens on each other’s shoulders like the religious leaders of old (Matt. 23:4).

It is worth asking ourselves if that is what our churches, our networks and our online Christian presence looks like. Can we truly be seen to be people who are passionate about addressing sin and false teaching, yet tender, gentle and patient, bearing with the little things, never letting our anger lead us into sin? If not – the moment may be here to spend time seeing the deep call of our Father’s love, reflecting afresh on who He would have us be.

The reality is, most of us will look at paragraphs like this and think ‘not even close’. Progressive sanctification in these areas is, as the name suggests, progressive. None of us will be there yet. But while engaging with the shmaltzy trappings of our culture’s view of love is optional, pursuing the beautiful, counter-cultural call of God’s love is not.

This month, let’s renew our passion for seeing the love God has for us – and becoming unswervingly loving to those around. Doing so is God-honouring, growth-promoting, and a wonderful witness to an unbelieving world.