What Does Love Look Like?

James 2:15-16, "Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, 'Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well' —but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?"

This past weekend, I watched a video of Heidi Baker where she continued to say that "Love looks like something." It really got my attention. When James wanted to demonstrate what true faith looked like, he talked about meeting the needs of someone else. In other words, when you say you have faith, it should be put into action. On the same note, if you say that you love someone then it must be demonstrated.

What does love look like in your home?
Think about your marriage or your relationship with the children. How is love demonstrated in these relationships? The home is the greatest testing ground for unconditional love. I truly believe that if we cannot love work here then we will always struggle with love working anywhere else. God's Word teaches us the necessity of a man being willing to lay down his life for his wife. The woman is to show her husband love through the honor and respect she gives to his God-given role in the family. While there may be times of disagreement, our spouses should never have to earn love. The same holds true with our children. They are told to obey their parents and we are admonished to raise them up in the fear and admonition of the Lord. We will struggle to fulfill this role in their lives if they never feel secure in the love we have for them. We have the awesome responsibility to represent the love of God in our families. What does our love look like?

What does love look like in your church?
Unfortunately, this is where we have seen some of the greatest problems. How quickly we have forgotten that Jesus said that it was our love for one another that would demonstrate to the world that we really are His disciples. It has gotten to the point in many churches that love is demonstrated when you look just like us or act just like we act. Shouldn't the Body of Christ be a safe place to find love? Love isn't demonstrated in what we are against but who we are for. I don't have to accept someones lifestyle choices to accept them. I don't have to agree with their choices in order for me to love them. I am compelled to and called to love. How do we handle conflict in the church? How do we settle our disagreements? Is forgiveness quick and easy to obtain? What does our love look like?

What does love look like in our communities?
I want us to think about the impact we have on our neighbors. Has there ever been a time when I have been called upon to give a helping hand and I found myself too busy? I wonder how many people have gone to a church service instead of stopping to help someone who is in need. Can you imagine? "Hey...sorry I can't stay and help. I have a church service to attend." What if we would stop and give them the time of day? What if we were willing to sacrifice a church service to visually demonstrate the love of God to someone? What if we were actively seeking a way to be Jesus to our communities? What does our love look like?

The conclusion...
Without sounding harsh, I believe that this needs to be said: Love that isn't demonstrated isn't love at all.
Just like faith without works is dead, love without demonstration is dead also. We must actively demonstrate love in all our relationships. We must be willing to work through the hard issues of life. One of the greatest attributes of love is that it never fails. The reason it never fails is because it never gives up, it always hopes, and it believes the best in every situation. Love is always willing to partner with those who seek reconciliation. Love is always willing to partner with those who are willing to work for a solution. Love is a powerful force in the world because it is the very nature of God.

I ask you: What does love look like?

Be the answer!