When we step back and look closely at what love really is, it becomes clear that it’s far more than words, emotions, or routine phrases we say without thinking. True love is demonstrated through action, sacrifice, and consistency. Scripture points us to the ultimate example in Christ—who didn’t just speak love, but proved it through giving Himself for us while we were still undeserving. That kind of love reshapes how we understand God’s heart and how we extend love to others.

Highlights:
Love is more than words; it is demonstrated through action and truth
God defines love through sacrifice, seen fully in Jesus on the cross
Real love often involves giving, serving, and putting others before ourselves
Biblical love is consistent even when people are imperfect or difficult
Understanding God’s love changes how we love others in everyday life

Join the Conversation

How has your understanding of love changed through your faith journey? Where do you find it most challenging to love others in a sacrificial way, and what helps you reflect Christ’s love in those moments?

Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here: https://forums.crosswalk.com/

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Full Transcript Below:

A Proper View of Love
By Vivian Bricker

Bible Reading:
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). 

Many of us grow up with an incorrect view of what love actually means. From an early age, we are taught that if someone says they love you, we are to say, “I love you” back, regardless of how we are feeling. Without giving these words much thought, we have lost the true meaning of love and its uniqueness in our lives. 

The word “love” has a deeper meaning than just a greeting, a goodbye, or a simple “I love (fill in the blank).” The meaning of love has been distorted by overuse. As believers, we need to understand what love is and avoid using it haphazardly. 

There is a time and place to say we love others, but we also need to show it in our actions. We are told in the Bible, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18).

My mom used to say she loved me each morning before I went to elementary school, but she didn’t use the word “love” in a way that was repetitive or meaningless. When she said she loved me, she meant it, and she backed it up with her actions. 

Now, this is the key difference. The love my mom showed me was not just in her words. She also showed it through her actions and genuine concern for me. Whenever she would tell me she loved me and to have a good day at school, she truly meant it. 

The True Definition of Love

The Apostle Paul tells us, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). God has shown in both His actions and words that He loves us. He didn’t only say He loves us, but rather, He left Heaven to die the death we deserved and pay our sin debt. 

Jesus did this out of the love He has for us. No one would die for someone they didn’t love with every fiber of their body. “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:7-8). 

Jesus’ death on the cross demonstrates to us what real love looks like: sacrifice. Love is not all roses, beautiful dates, or perfect families. Real love is rooted in sacrificing our own needs for others. 

This is what real love looks like as it models the same love Jesus has for us. We will have to love others in their darkest times. For example, one of our friends might need support when they are going through alcohol or addiction recovery. Showing judgment toward them and not being there for them will only cause them to feel awful about themselves. However, if we model Jesus’ sacrificial love in our lives, we will be loving, caring, and compassionate toward them, and sacrifice our own plans to spend time with them. 

The Lord tells us, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Living under a proper view of love will change our lives and ensure we love others as the Lord loves us. Praying to Jesus to help us practice sacrificial love will help us if we find it a difficult concept to fully embrace. God can transform our hearts and change them to reflect His own (Ezekiel 36:26).

Intersecting Faith & Life:

What is your definition of love? Has anyone modeled the love of Jesus for you in their life? Did this leave a lasting impact on you? How can you lean into the Lord’s love today?

Further Reading:

Jeremiah 31:3

John 3:16-18

1 John 4:10

When we step back and look closely at what love really is, it becomes clear that it&rsquo;s far more than words, emotions, or routine phrases we say without thinking. True love is demonstrated through action, sacrifice, and consistency. Scripture points us to the ultimate example in Christ&mdash;who didn&rsquo;t just speak love, but proved it through giving Himself for us while we were still undeserving. That kind of love reshapes how we understand God&rsquo;s heart and how we extend love to others.
Highlights:
<ul data-start="499" data-end="875">
<li data-section-id="jtq82w" data-start="499" data-end="571">Love is more than words; it is demonstrated through action and truth</li>
<li data-section-id="1lkdx3u" data-start="572" data-end="644">God defines love through sacrifice, seen fully in Jesus on the cross</li>
<li data-section-id="jirk1q" data-start="645" data-end="726">Real love often involves giving, serving, and putting others before ourselves</li>
<li data-section-id="1ctmeih" data-start="727" data-end="802">Biblical love is consistent even when people are imperfect or difficult</li>
<li data-section-id="5wzdca" data-start="803" data-end="875">Understanding God&rsquo;s love changes how we love others in everyday life</li>
</ul>
Join the Conversation
How has your understanding of love changed through your faith journey? Where do you find it most challenging to love others in a sacrificial way, and what helps you reflect Christ&rsquo;s love in those moments?
Continue the conversation with the Crosswalk community here:&nbsp;<a href="https://forums.crosswalk.com/">https://forums.crosswalk.com/</a>
Do you want to listen ad-free?
When you join&nbsp;Crosswalk Plus, you gain access to exclusive, in-depth Bible study guides, devotionals, sound biblical advice, and daily encouragement from trusted pastors and authors&mdash;resources designed to strengthen your faith and equip you to live it out boldly. PLUS ad free podcasts!&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/subscribe/?utm_source=subscribe_page&amp;utm_medium=YDBV&amp;utm_campaign=YDBV_PLUS">Sign Up Today!</a>
<hr>
Full Transcript Below:
A Proper View of Love By Vivian Bricker
Bible Reading: &ldquo;But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us&rdquo; (Romans 5:8).&nbsp;
Many of us grow up with an incorrect view of what love actually means. From an early age, we are taught that if someone says they love you, we are to say, &ldquo;I love you&rdquo; back, regardless of how we are feeling. Without giving these words much thought, we have lost the true meaning of love and its uniqueness in our lives.&nbsp;
The word &ldquo;love&rdquo; has a deeper meaning than just a greeting, a goodbye, or a simple &ldquo;I love (fill in the blank).&rdquo; The meaning of love has been distorted by overuse. As believers, we need to understand what love is and avoid using it haphazardly.&nbsp;
There is a time and place to say we love others, but we also need to show it in our actions. We are told in the Bible, &ldquo;Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth&rdquo; (1 John 3:18).
My mom used to say she loved me each morning before I went to elementary school, but she didn&rsquo;t use the word &ldquo;love&rdquo; in a way that was repetitive or meaningless. When she said she loved me, she meant it, and she backed it up with her actions.&nbsp;
Now, this is the key difference. The love my mom showed me was not just in her words. She also showed it through her actions and genuine concern for me. Whenever she would tell me she loved me and to have a good day at school, she truly meant it.&nbsp;
The True Definition of Love
The Apostle Paul tells us, &ldquo;But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us&rdquo; (Romans 5:8). God has shown in both His actions and words that He loves us. He didn&rsquo;t only say He loves us, but rather, He left Heaven to die the death we deserved and pay our sin debt.&nbsp;
Jesus did this out of the love He has for us. No one would die for someone they didn&rsquo;t love with every fiber of their body. &ldquo;Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us&rdquo; (Romans 5:7-8).&nbsp;
Jesus&rsquo; death on the cross demonstrates to us what real love looks like: sacrifice. Love is not all roses, beautiful dates, or perfect families. Real love is rooted in sacrificing our own needs for others.&nbsp;
This is what real love looks like as it models the same love Jesus has for us. We will have to love others in their darkest times. For example, one of our friends might need support when they are going through alcohol or addiction recovery. Showing judgment toward them and not being there for them will only cause them to feel awful about themselves. However, if we model Jesus&rsquo; sacrificial love in our lives, we will be loving, caring, and compassionate toward them, and sacrifice our own plans to spend time with them.&nbsp;
The Lord tells us, &ldquo;Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one&rsquo;s life for one&rsquo;s friends&rdquo; (John 15:13). Living under a proper view of love will change our lives and ensure we love others as the Lord loves us. Praying to Jesus to help us practice sacrificial love will help us if we find it a difficult concept to fully embrace. God can transform our hearts and change them to reflect His own (Ezekiel 36:26).
Intersecting Faith &amp; Life:
What is your definition of love? Has anyone modeled the love of Jesus for you in their life? Did this leave a lasting impact on you? How can you lean into the Lord&rsquo;s love today?
Further Reading:
Jeremiah 31:3
John 3:16-18
1 John 4:10

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.

Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:

☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It)
☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment
☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life
☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life
☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church
☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer
☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation
☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year

If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.

Are you a Christian looking for a daily devotional podcast to encourage, inspire, and convict you in your walk with Christ? 7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Daily Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life. Let's study the Bible together and through the experiences of other believers, learn how to apply the Word of God to our lives.
Here’s just some of what we cover in The Crosswalk Daily Devotional Podcast:
☕️ Why the Tongue Can't Be Tamed (And What to Do about It) ☕️ The Quickest Way to an Attitude Adjustment ☕️ Your Birthday: The Most and Least Important Day of Your Life ☕️ Noticing God's Blessings in the Hardest Moments of Life ☕️ One of the Sneakiest Lies Satan Is Telling the Church ☕️ How to Push Through the Weariness of Prayer ☕️ 3 Steps to Take When Facing Temptation ☕️ What to Remember during a Stressful Election Year
If you love what you're listening to on the podcast, be sure to check out our companion devotional at <a href="https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/">https://www.crosswalk.com/devotionals/crosswalk-devo/.</a>

7 days a week, The Crosswalk.com Devotional Podcast offers wisdom and insight for applying Biblical truths to the ups and downs of everyday life.

The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast

The Crosswalk Devotional

A Proper View of Love

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/156d33f9-c39d-4161-982e-b4740103d6c9/transcript