Expressions of Love to Practice
Expressions of Love to practice – towards God
- Meditating on God’s Word (Colossians 3:16, Psalm 1:1-3, 119:1)
- Obeying God’s Word (John 14:15, James 1:22-25)
- Praising God constantly (Hebrews 13:15, Psalm 103:1, 150:1-6)
- Thanksgiving for all things (Ephesians 5:20, 1 Thessalonians 5:18)
- Worship in Spirit and Truth (John 4:23-24, Hebrews 10:24-25)
- Acceptance of what God allows (Romans 8:28, 1 Peter 5:7)
- Casting concerns on Him (Philippians 4:6-7, 1 Peter 5:7)
- Loving others (1 John 4:20-21)
- Evangelism and Witnessing (Matthew 28:19-20, 1 Peter 2:9)
- Standing for what is right (1 Corinthians 16:13-14)
- Using your spiritual gifts (1 Peter 4:10-11)
- Helping others grow in Christ (2 Timothy 2:2, 1 Thessalonians 5:14, Hebrews 10:24)
- Thinking on good things (Philippians 4:8)
- Giving to God’s Work (2 Corinthians 8:34, 8, 9:7)
Expressions of Love to practice – towards others
- Sincere apologies (Matthew 5:23-24, Romans 12:18)
- Praising others (Proverbs 27:2, 31:28-29, 1 Corinthians 11:2)
- Listening and talking to others (James 1:19, Proverbs 18:2, 13)
- Sharing where you hurt (2 Corinthians 6:11-13, 7:2-3)
- Spending time with one another (2 Corinthians 12:15, 1 Thessalonians 2:8,Ephesians 6:4, Titus 2:4-5)
- Gentle Correction (Proverbs 27:6a, 1 Thessalonians 5:14)
- Self Sacrifice (1 Corinthians 13:5, Philippians 2:3-4)
- Submission to God’s ordained authority (Ephesians 5:22-6:9, Romans 13:1-7, Hebrews 13:17)
- Saying I love you (John 13:34)
- Giving encouragement (1 Thessalonians 5:11, 14, Proverbs 12:25)
- Showing appreciation (Philippians 4:14)
- Helping each other (Acts 20:35, 1 Thessalonians 5:14)
- Comforting each other (Romans 12:15, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
- Bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2)
- Warm smile or appropriate touch (Proverbs 15:30, Mark 10:13-14)
- Phoning or writing expressions of love (3 John 1:13-14)
- Asking for help (Philippians 4:17)
- Expressing forgiveness when someone has apologized (2 Corinthians 2:7,Ephesians 4:32)
- Discipline of one’s children (Ephesians 6:4, Proverbs 13:24)
An open loving relationship can be expressed to others in many ways, at the right time, in the right way, in the right circumstance.
(Proverbs 27:14; 25:11; 15:23; 15:1, Colossians 4:6)
Insights and concepts adapted from The Heart of Man and The Mental Disorders by Rich Thomson)