Love is holy. It is an aspect of love that is not often considered by most. If you pull back the curtain and look more carefully, you may take greater stock in the way you view and approach love. It is easy to be flippant with the word itself, especially when someone doesn’t grasp its true meaning. We know that perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18), but would we love others more effectively if we have a healthy fear or reverence for love? After all, are we supposed to be more careful with the things of God? Remember also, God is love (see 1 John 4:16). With that mind, consider Proverbs 1:7, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Furthermore, Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the Holy (One) is understanding.”
By treating love with reverence, we will love others in a more profound way. Moreover, we will love as God loves, especially since we are made in His image. Just thinking about holiness being attached to love might increase our mindfulness and intentionality to love others well. While we freely give love, and in so doing, give of ourselves in like fashion, it behooves us to take care in the way we express it. For example, we cannot merely mouth the words, “I love you;” there has to be intention and action girded in truth behind them.
Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Obedience to God is a sign of our love for Him. If one rebels against His commandments or resists His will, where is the love? “I love you; but I can’t do it.” Can’t or won’t? If not, why? Scripture tells us that Jesus was moved with compassion (see Matthew 9:36; 14:14; 15:32 et al.). What moves compassion? The thing by which faith operates -love (see Galatians 5:6)! You cannot walk by faith apart from love; much less be truly obedient. True obedience submits out of love. Doing things out of fearfulness or terror is not so much obedience as it is compulsion or coercion. Love obeys, and obedience loves. Jesus commanded us to love one another. God said, “Be holy, for I am holy.” To be holy is to be set apart or sacred. It shares in God’s purity, which means love is pure. Think deeply about love and what it means to God, and what it means to love one another.
