Do We Really Understand What Love Is?


1 Corinthians 13:13; 1 John 4:8


James H. Bailey, Sr.


  1. I. Love must be understood and practiced. 1 John 3:18; Matthew 10:37
    1. a. God’s children must practice love. Romans 13:10
    2. b. God’s children love even their enemies. Matthew 5:44


    1. II. God wants love to dominate our lives. 1 John 2:3; 2:15-17; 4:8
    2. a. When love is shown, it is evident that God’s children know God. John 14:15, 21
      1. i. Only those who show love in their lives know God.
      2. ii. Anyone in the Lord who does not practice love has faith without works. James 2:24
    3. b. Love that is not shown is a dead faith. James 2:26
      1. i. One can be dead spiritually while living. 1 Timothy 5:6
      2. ii. James 2:18
    4. c. No one can afford not to show love to one another.
      1. i. Romans 13:10
    5. d. If we know that we should show love and do not do it, we sin.
      1. i. James 4:17


      1. III. God wants us to honor one another and not to be a respecter of persons.
    1. a. Romans 13:7
    2. b. James 2:9


Conclusion: 


1 John 3:18 teaches, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth. Love should not be in word only or only by tongue, “but in deed and in truth.” Our love is to be proven by our actions. When love is understood, it will express itself for all to see.


(Editor’s note: This is one of the final lessons sent to me from brother Bailey to be published in the West Virginia Christian. It is significant that his theme was “Love.”)


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