Because God so loved He gave, so also should we "so love" and give. We need to allow the light of His love to shine out from us. How does love show itself? How do we know we are operating in love?
Once I was listening to a lady speak that I have great admiration for. She said if she could ask for just one thing from the Lord...I listened intently thinking it would be surely be "love"...and she said "peace". I was so surprised and began to ponder that. I discovered that peace is the barometer or measure of love. To the degree that we feel peace in our lives is the degree that we have love in our lives. We cannot walk in peace to all people without walking in love toward them.
The expression of love is goodness. Jesus went about doing good. When we are filled with love there is a natural goodness that come out of us wanting to serve and to help others. We don't stop to think how serving others would benefit ourselves, but only see it will help those we love.
The essence of love is gentleness. Love is not harsh or rude or demanding it's own way, but is filled with kindness and honoring others.
The test of love is long-suffering. It's standing by others when they are hard to stand by. Love stays when it would be easier to walk away.
Faith is the power of love. Faith only works with love and love stands strong with faith. It's believing for greater things for each other. When we love others we call upon the love of God to move on their behalf.
Temperance or self-control is the inner working of love. Love changes things on the inside of us without us having to work on changing. It's knowing that we don't have to respond out of our own feelings or thoughts, but to allow the love of God to flow through us.
The realization of loves results in meekness. When one is fully walking in love there is an automatic meekness. It's easy to walk in humility when operating in love for others.
Joy is the result of love. What a delight there is in the heart when love is fully expressed and received. There is such a sense of security and confidence when we fully love and are fully loved.
