IS LOVE REALLY THAT IMPORTANT?

IS LOVE REALLY THAT IMPORTANT?

I often get challenged by people about my emphasis on love.  They ask if in all the other important biblical doctrines love is really that important.  My short reply is found below. I will let you decide if love is important or not after reading my answer.

1.  God is love (I John 4:8).

2. We are to walk in love (ephesians 5:2).

3.  Faith works by love (Galatians 5:6).

4. We are to be grounded and rooted in love (Ephesians 3:17).

5. We are to know and believe the love God has for us (I John 4:16).

6. We are to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).

7. God loved us while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8).

8. God’s love for you is the same as He has for Jesus (John 17:23).

9. There is no fear in God’s love (I John 4:18).

10. Love is the evidence you know God. (I John 4:7).

11. Love is more than just words–it’s actions (I John 23:18).

12. Love is greater than faith or hope (I Corinthians 13:13).

13. Every expectation God has for us is fulfilled by love (Matthew 22:36-40).

14. Love is how God treats the evil and unthankful (Luke 6:35).

15. Love is how I am to treat my enemies (Luke 6:27).

16. Love is how I am to treat my neighbor (Matthew 22:39).

17. Love is how I am to treat myself (Matthew 22:39).

18. Nothing can ever separate me from God’s love (Romans 8:35-39).

19. God’s love causes me to be more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37).

20. God loved you first! (I John 4:19).

21. Love never fails (I Corinthians 13:8).

I hope Tina Turner found the answer to “What’s love got to do with it.”  That God’s love isn’t a secondhand emotion or an old fashioned notion and it has the power to heal broken hearts!  That’s what love has got to do with it!                                                  Ed Elliot