1 John 4:7–21

God is love. As His children, then, love is what defines who we now are. And love should flavor and drive all that we do.

For some, Love this Christmas starts with realizing God’s love for you. Faith comes before obedience. God has proven His love for us by sending His Son, Jesus, to die for our sins. The Promised Redeemer. He lived a perfect life, died a sacrificial death on our behalf, and was raised the third day, so that by believing in Him we could have forgiveness of sins and eternal life, becoming sons and daughters of the King. [Trust]

For others, Love this Christmasstarts with loving God more. Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14.15). Obedience is active love. It’s the way we show our love for God and for others. The good news…we don’t have to forge ahead on our own in obedience. The Spirit empowers and enables us to do what God asks us to do. And when we say yes to Him, the Spirit is the One who transforms us to live and love like Jesus. [Trust and obey]

For the rest, Love this Christmas looks like loving others the same way God loves us. Being just like our heavenly Father. Loving others in active and practical ways. Love is an action word. It builds up and spurs on. It sacrifices and gives. It doesn’t look out for “me” but for the good of others. It can’t help but help. When it sees a need, it meets the need. Bringing the full weight of the resources that God has blessed us with to serve others. It’s the natural consequence of our experience of God’s love for us. The Christian life is not a solo journey…it’s a group adventure. It’s something we do together. And it’s one of the best ways we express love.

pro rege

This post is based on a sermon from our Advent series: The Promise of Christmas. Download the podcast at: Central Christian Church Main Service, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X or Threads: @ccclancaster. You can also download our Central Christian app in the iTunes App Store.