My husband and I have recently watched two television pieces about Richard P. Feynman. Mr. Feynman was a theoretical physicist. I couldn’t tell you what that is. Even after watching four hours of documentary material about this man.

But there are a few things I can tell you about him that I understood. He helped solve the issue with the explosion of the space shuttle, the Challenger. He had a great sense of humor. He loved his family. He was a genius.

Another thing I can tell you about him is that he did not believe there was a God. All that he was, He believed that when he died, he just died. There was nothing beyond. I pray at the end of his life he found the love of God to be his ultimate and best discovery.

And yet, Mr. Feynman understood love. Love for his science. Love for his family. Love for humanity. Love for knowledge. At one point, Mr. Feynman said, “Tell your son to stop trying to fill your head with science — for to fill your heart with love is enough.”

Yes, hearts full of love is enough.

Jesus’ message throughout the Gospels and the New Testament speak to this. You could probably recite with me the greatest command and the second that is like it. “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind…Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-38 – NIV)

But Jesus didn’t stop there, His message of love continues in Luke 6:27-28 (NIV) says, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”

A definition of love can be found in 1 Corinthians 13 (NIV).

Love…

Is patient

Is kind

Does not envy

Does not boast

Is not proud

Is not rude

Is not self-seeking

Is not easily angered

Keeps no record of wrongs

Does not delight in evil

Rejoices with the truth

Always protects

Always trusts

Always hopes

Always perseveres

Love never fails

The Apostle Paul encourages us with these words in Ephesians 5:1-2 (NIV). “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ love us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice.” We are called to live a life of love because God first loved us.

And love is not to become stagnant. We find these words in Philippians 1:9 (NIV). “And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight.” The more we love, the more love grows. Another verse that speaks of this can be found in 1 Thessalonians 3:12.

In 1 Timothy, Paul commanded false teachers to stop teaching false doctrine. And the root of this command was love. “The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” (1 Timothy 1:5 – NIV) When we do all that we do in love that is from a pure heart, a good conscience and sincere faith, we are following Christ’s commands.

And we are to love and encourage others. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.” (Hebrews 10:24 – NIV) You may want to read 1 Peter 1:22; 1 Peter 2:17; 1 Peter 3:8; 1 Peter 4:8 and 1 John 4:7.

You may also want to consider these passages: Romans 12:9-10; Ephesians 4:2; 5:2; Colossians 3:14; 1 John 3:1; and 1 John 4:18-19.

God’s love for us is to be our example of how we are to love. Recite with me John 3:16 (NIV). “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” His great love for mankind was the reason for sending Jesus. If you need more evidence of this truth, look at these passages.

 “But God demonstrates his own love us in this: While we were still sinners, Crhist died for us.” (Romans 5:8 – NIV)

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” (Ephesians 2:4-5 – NIV)

“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.” (1 John 3:16 – NIV)

I pray that you have a deeper understanding of God’s love for you and how we are to love others. Let’s bask in God’s love. Let’s share God’s love. Let’s fill our hearts with God’s love!

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13 – NIV)

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Donna

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