Sharing Really Is Caring

What’s the most loving thing that someone has ever done for you?

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When I look back on my life, I can think of multiple times when friends, family and strangers have shown me incredible love. Whether it was an early morning lift to the airport, a thoughtful gift in hard times, or just a much-needed kind word, I am so appreciative for the ways that I have been loved over the years.

But as treasured as these moments are, the most precious acts of love that I have experienced are the times when others have shared Jesus with me. Those beautiful moments when people have understood that the most loving thing I needed was to be pointed to Love Himself.

“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

1 John 4:7-21

Even though we know that God is love, however, it doesn’t always feel easy or practical to share Jesus with people. We can talk ourselves out of it, preferring a more obvious solution to a problem, thinking that another time might be more convenient. But when friends and family are struggling, Jesus is exactly who they need.

Sharing Jesus is the most loving thing we could possibly do for others.

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When we love someone, we want the best for them, and that’s why introducing them to Jesus is so good. In any situation, He is the best possible answer, the One who knows our every need and will weather any storm with us. Trying to solve our friends’ problems for them, even with the best of intentions, will never work. We can’t do what only God can do.

This doesn’t mean that we don’t show love to our friends through practical acts of kindness, service or sacrifice. As I said, when others have expressed love in a practical way it has meant an incredible amount to me. It just means that when we do those things, we explain why we’re doing them.

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”

Colossians 3:17

In other words, our love for others, in word and deed, must come alongside open recognition of Jesus, the One who inspires us to love. This could look like offering to pray with a friend when you give them a meal, or inviting someone to church as well as to the cinema. To me, it means not keeping people at arm’s length, but letting them into every area of our lives, especially our faith in Jesus. Jesus permeates every part of our lives and our friendships should be no different.

The love that God has shown to us is so powerful and life-transforming that it should compel us to show that same love to others. No other love comes close to the love of God. So when we love our friends and family but don’t offer them the opportunity to experience God’s love for them, we are selling them short.

As we reflect on this, let’s think of ways that we can love others in both word and deed. Let’s not miss the chance to share Jesus with others, knowing it is the most loving thing we can do for them. How could God’s Spirit be guiding us to opportunities to show God’s incredible love to those around us?

Pray with me: Father God, I thank you for the unconditional love that you have shown me. Please give me the courage and wisdom to know how to share that love with my friends and family. Please show me opportunities this week to love others in both word and deed. Amen.