The Demonstration of God’s Love: Showing God’s Love, Part 4

This is the final installment of our four-part series, exploring four attributes of biblical love that are challenging yet ultimately rewarding in growing our faith and capacity to love like Christ. Our series covers:

• The Decision to Love: Understanding God’s Agape
• The Discernment to Love: Knowing God’s Truth
• The Deference to Love: Having God’s Humility
• The Demonstration of Love: Showing God’s Love

Less Talk, More Walk

Many of us are familiar with the expression, “Talk is cheap,” implying words alone do not hold much value unless backed by action. It’s easy to make promises, share opinions, or express good intentions, but genuine love and commitment are demonstrated through our actions. The Apostle John drives this point home in 1 John 3:18: “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth” (ESV).

True love requires effort—it takes time, energy, and sacrifice. The Bible makes it clear that love is not just about what we say; it’s about what we do.

God’s Love in Action

Love is at the core of who God is, a truth echoed throughout Scripture. In just one sentence, Romans 5:8 beautifully encapsulates the essence of the Gospel and reveals the depth of God’s character: “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (NIV). God’s love isn’t just spoken; it’s proven. The cross stands as the ultimate display of his relentless, sacrificial love.

The 1997 movie Titanic captivated audiences worldwide, largely because of its powerful theme of sacrifice. Leonardo DiCaprio’s character, Jack Dawson, willingly gives up his place on the floating debris so Rose (Kate Winslet) can survive. His sacrifice, driven by his love for Rose, ensures she lives a full life on earth.

But as moving as Jack’s act is, Christ’s sacrifice is infinitely greater. Unlike Jack, who died to save one person, Jesus gave his life for all sinners (1 John 2:2). Even as He suffered on the cross, Jesus prayed for the forgiveness of those who crucified him (Luke 23:34). And while Jack’s sacrifice secured Rose a temporary life on earth, Jesus offers something far greater—both abundant life now and eternal life forever (John 10:10; 11:25-26).

Romans 5:8 unequivocally dispels the idea that God is distant or indifferent. Instead, it reveals that He, personally, stepped into human history to rescue sinners. This verse offers profound reassurance to those who feel unworthy, demonstrating that Christ’s sacrifice was made for them long before they sought him. It is a testament to the depth of God’s unfailing love and desire for all to find salvation.

John 14:1-4 further illustrates God’s love through Jesus’s words of comfort to his disciples. Knowing their fears, Jesus assures them they have no reason to be troubled because He is: (1) preparing a place for them in his Father’s house, (2) returning for them, and (3) bringing them to be with him forever (v. 3-4). This promise isn’t just about heaven—it’s a powerful display of God’s love, showing that He longs for an eternal relationship with his people and has already made every provision for their future with him.

Our Love in Action

Christ’s love for us is deep but should never be taken lightly. How should we respond to such great love? In John 14, Jesus makes it clear that true love for him is demonstrated through obedience, which we discussed in detail in our previous post. To drive his point home, Jesus repeats this call for obedience three times (John 14:15, 21, 23-24). But He didn’t leave us to figure it out on our own.

In his wisdom, Jesus ensured we would never be alone, sending the Holy Spirit to dwell within us and lead us into all truth (John 16:13). Thus, long after He departed, his spirit would remain with us. The Spirit of Truth guides, strengthens, and resides in each believer forever (John 14:16-17). The Holy Spirit helps us obey his commands and live rightly, “for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13, NIV).

So, how do we put our love for God and others into action? Jesus didn’t just show his love through words; He proved it through his sacrifice, selflessness, and service. The following are 10 ways to demonstrate agape love to Christ and those around us.

10 Biblical Ways to Show Christ’s Love

1. Obey God’s Commandments

• “For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments” (1 John 5:3, NKJV).

2. Serve Others Selflessly

• “Through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13b ESV).
• “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me…” (Matthew 25:35-36).

3. Speak with Grace and Kindness

• “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt” (Colossians 4:6 ESV).

4. Forgive Others

• “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32 ESV).

5. Pray for Others

• “Pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:16 ESV).

6. Regard Others with Humility

• “Do nothing from selfish ambition … but in humility count others more significant than yourselves” (Philippians 2:3 ESV).

7. Love Your Enemies

• “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44 ESV).

8. Lay Down Your Life to Serve

• “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sister” (1 John 3:16 NIV).

9. Help Carry the Load

• “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2 NKJV).

10. Show Consideration in Weakness

• “We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves” (Romans 15:1 NIV).

Reflection: Choose one verse from today’s blog to reflect on throughout the day. 

Take Action: Select one of these expressions of love that you can put into action in your relationships today. Did the Holy Spirit direct you to one in particular? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!