By Joe Chesser
It probably happens most often in college. Your friend walks into the room and you immediately know something is different. There is a radiance that wasn’t there before. The eyes are brighter. The face is joyful.There’s a bounce in their step. The friend has fallen in love … and, like Andy Rooney once said, “When you’re in love, it shows.”
You really can’t hide love. It’s easy to see when a husband loves his wife. It’s easy to see when a grandma loves her grandchildren. It’s easy to see when a person loves their job. It’s easy to see when a fan truly loves the Cardinals. It’s easy to see when a family had a great vacation.
And it’s just as easy to see when someone truly loves the Lord. It shows. You just can’t hide true love. When you love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind (Mark 12:30) it transforms you.
You will never hide your light behind dark shades, keeping it to yourself, but will expose it for the whole world to see (Matthew 5:15-16). Love shows.
You will never have to be shamed or begged to meet with God’s people for worship, study and fellowship (Hebrews 10:25), but will long to be with the church whenever it gathers (Acts 2:42) – even when it is difficult or inconvenient. Love shows.
You will use your words to encourage and build, rather than to criticize and destroy – no matter what others are saying about you (Ephesians 4:29). Love shows.
You will treat your fellow Christians with greater care and concern than you treat yourself (Phil. 2:3-4). This will be evident to the whole world (John 13:35). Love shows.
You will not get stingy, resentful or angry when an opportunity comes from the Lord to share your financial blessings with others (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). Love shows.
You will not pass up opportunities to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, shelter strangers, clothe the needy, or visit the sick and imprisoned (Matthew 25:34-46). Love shows (and saves!).
You will stay in constant communication with the Lord by prayer and study (1 Thessalonians 5:17; 2 Peter 3:17). Love shows.
You will not keep the saving message from the lost, but will share the gospel with all you can for as long as you can (Matthew 28:19-20). Love shows.
Other people can see how much you love the Lord. The Lord can see how much you love Him. The challenge is to be honest enough with yourself to look deeply in your own heart to see if love for the Lord is truly there. Remember, love shows.
It probably happens most often in college. Your friend walks into the room and you immediately know something is different. There is a radiance that wasn’t there before. The eyes are brighter. The face is joyful.There’s a bounce in their step. The friend has fallen in love … and, like Andy Rooney once said, “When you’re in love, it shows.”
You really can’t hide love. It’s easy to see when a husband loves his wife. It’s easy to see when a grandma loves her grandchildren. It’s easy to see when a person loves their job. It’s easy to see when a fan truly loves the Cardinals. It’s easy to see when a family had a great vacation.
And it’s just as easy to see when someone truly loves the Lord. It shows. You just can’t hide true love. When you love God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind (Mark 12:30) it transforms you.
You will never hide your light behind dark shades, keeping it to yourself, but will expose it for the whole world to see (Matthew 5:15-16). Love shows.
You will never have to be shamed or begged to meet with God’s people for worship, study and fellowship (Hebrews 10:25), but will long to be with the church whenever it gathers (Acts 2:42) – even when it is difficult or inconvenient. Love shows.
You will use your words to encourage and build, rather than to criticize and destroy – no matter what others are saying about you (Ephesians 4:29). Love shows.
You will treat your fellow Christians with greater care and concern than you treat yourself (Phil. 2:3-4). This will be evident to the whole world (John 13:35). Love shows.
You will not get stingy, resentful or angry when an opportunity comes from the Lord to share your financial blessings with others (2 Corinthians 8:1-5). Love shows.
You will not pass up opportunities to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, shelter strangers, clothe the needy, or visit the sick and imprisoned (Matthew 25:34-46). Love shows (and saves!).
You will stay in constant communication with the Lord by prayer and study (1 Thessalonians 5:17; 2 Peter 3:17). Love shows.
You will not keep the saving message from the lost, but will share the gospel with all you can for as long as you can (Matthew 28:19-20). Love shows.
Other people can see how much you love the Lord. The Lord can see how much you love Him. The challenge is to be honest enough with yourself to look deeply in your own heart to see if love for the Lord is truly there. Remember, love shows.
- Joe Chesser preaches for the Fruitland Church of Christ, Fruitland, MO. He may be contacted at joeandareva@yahoo.com
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