God is love. The bible is a love story. The entire story is a novel of God’s love for us and his desire for us to love him in return.

The fullness of love was shown in Christ. While I was in the midst of the most horrible sin, Christ died for me (Romans 5:8). In his compassion he made a sacrifice and justice was paid for by his soul. His love for me is sacrificial. It requires nothing of me–except that I love him in return.

And God has asked us to love others in the same way. This is extreme, selfless, supernatural love. This is the love that challenges other people. It is unnatural. It is beautiful.

Not only is loving people beautiful, loving people is protective. Serving people and laying down your life for them leaves little room for selfishness and sin. “Whoever loves his brother abides in the light. In him there is no cause for stumbling.” 1 John 2:10