It’s not something we try to get for ourselves, but instead, it’s an action we express to others through sharing and serving. Loving God, yourself and others require action. It’s never enough to just say you love someone without showing it to them. Talk is cheap. What makes any love declaration valid lies in genuine expression.

There are three different forms of love God has instructed us to demonstrate, or “live out.” And each one needs to be balanced, so they can work together.

As you read on, consider whether each one is well-balanced in your life or needs some adjustments.

* Loving God

Deuteronomy 6:5 says You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and mind and with all your soul and with all your strength. Jesus later repeats this and even labels it the most important commandment of all.

So, how do you express love for God? By telling God, “I love You”? Singing praises to Him? These are good things, but they only scratch the surface.

We show God we love Him through obedience because actions speak louder than words. It’s tough, and we won’t always feel like we want to obey. But our desire for obedience will grow as we continue to experience His love, goodness and faithfulness in our lives.

* Loving Yourself

In the New Testament, Jesus said the greatest commandment of all is to love God with all our heart. But He also added the second greatest commandment: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. (See Mark 12:31.)

There’s something important here that people often miss: You cannot give away something you don’t have in you. How can someone love another person if they don’t love themselves?

We all need to accept ourselves—our personalities and imperfections—knowing that although we are not where we need to be, we are making progress. God wants us to love ourselves and our identity in Him!*

* Loving Others

God’s love is a gift to us; it’s in us, but we need to release it to others through words and actions. Left dormant, it will stagnate like a pool of water with no outlet.

1 John 3:14 says, We know that we have passed out of death into life because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.

Life, in this verse, is the life of God or “life as God has it.” And loving others is the only way to keep that God-kind of life flowing through you.

The act of loving others is one of the most exhilarating things you will experience. You will feel excitement stirring in your spirit when you do something to make someone else feel loved and cared for. And You can experience the same exhilaration just by “loving out loud.”

Here’s a challenge: Think of three people you know who could use a gesture of God’s love. Then think of creative ways you can express His love to these people—and do it! You are guaranteed to feel a wonderful sense of fulfilment and joy afterwards.

How You Can Continue to Grow in Love?

If you will devote yourself to developing your love walk in these three areas, you will experience a huge amount of blessing in your life.

Be encouraged to seek God about this and ask the Holy Spirit to help you grow in your love toward Jesus, yourself and others. He will help you overcome anything that might hinder you in the process.

Remember, God is Love. And He loves you.

Blessings and Love ❤️

Whitney Edna Ibe is the Executive Consultant, Life & Mental Health Coach, and Writer/ Editor at Whitney Edna Ibe Consult (Blog), Flyhiee.com, The Social Talks, Penprofile.com, and Mental Wellness Society International. She is in charge of consultations, services, and implementation.

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