Creekside Garden

Love

A word that is used and misused in so many ways in today’s world. What is it exactly? A feeling? An action? Pleasure? Acceptance?

True love is a choice.

True love is sacrifice.

True love doesn’t happen by accident. It requires purpose and intention. It is selfless, looking to serve the other person.

How do I know what true love is? Why would you believe me?

Because I have experienced it firsthand through my husband and my family, but ultimately, I have been shown true love through Jesus.

As a human being, I am created in God’s image, but corrupted by sin. Born a sinner. Rebellious against my creator. Driven by selfishness, pride, and greed. I was walking in the way of the world, hellbent (literally) down that path as fast as I could. Hopeless to save myself. Miserable in my own skin.

But God.

He sent Jesus to die for me. The hands of our Creator were nailed to wood. His body beaten. Mocked. His blood poured out. The price to save me, you, and all people.

All I had to do was believe. For me that looked like praying and telling the Lord that I believe what he has said in his Word, and I was done rebelling against him. My life has been changed. God’s love not only gives me hope for heaven and eternal life, but this true love has made me into a new person.

‭‭[16] “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. [18] Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

‭‭John‬ ‭3:16‭-‬18‬ ‭ESV

“Whoever believes in him is not condemned.”

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV

‭‭“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”

Isaiah‬ ‭1:18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God.

1 John 3:1

The true love of Jesus has saved me. His love also sets an example for all believers to follow, and that has led to me experiencing true love from Christians around me.

My husband Ben shows true love toward me in so many ways, he gets up with Caleb at night so I can sleep, he forgives me when I say hurtful things. He shows his love for me by sacrificing his comfort and convenience by going to work every day early in the morning and until late at night. He is kind, patient, thoughtful, and forgiving.

True love is not complicated, although it can be difficult. Thankfully, we can ask Jesus for help to love those around us and I know from experience, he loves to answer that prayer.

If you have any questions or want to share your testimony, please reach out in the comments below!