What Does Real Love Looks Like?

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous (envy) or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way (self-seeking). It is not irritable (angered), and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice (evil) but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith (trust), is always hopeful, and endures (perseveres) through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Jesus Christ’s life reveals the real portrait of love. For this reason, Jesus Christ’s self-sacrificing death and miraculous resurrection is often called the Passion story. Jesus Christ lived a self-denying and selfless life characterized by humble and loving service for others (Matthew 20:24-28; Mark 10:43-45). Repeatedly, the New Testaments reveals Jesus Christ placing the needs of others ahead of His own, even though this meant suffering (Matthew 26:39, 42). As followers of Jesus Christ, we are also to stop making self the object one’s life and actions. Becoming a follower of Jesus Christ is not more legalism but an orientation towards doing good, self-denial, and service for others (Mark 8:34-35). As Jesus Christ’s life revealed, real love is sharing, caring, kindness, tenderness, humility, forgiveness and generosity. However, the opposite of love is selfishness, bad-mouthing, competitiveness, pride, arrogance, self-importance, and jealous (1 Peter 3:8-9). True followers of Jesus Christ must live with abandonment as they abandon their own self-interests, rights and pride for the good of others (Philippians 2:1-5).

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from His love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit. . . . Then . . . love one another, and work together with one mind and purpose. Do not be selfish (selfish ambition); do not try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Do not look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Philippians 2:1-5

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to follow Jesus Christ’s portrait of real love. We are not to let selfish ambition, ego, or pride be our guide. Jesus Christ was never selfish nor did He try to impress others. Instead, Jesus Christ’s life was tender and compassionate as He healed and cared for others (e.g., see Matthew 8:1-4; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 8:41-56). Even when the Jewish leaders, Roman politicians and soldiers, and bystanders mocked and ridicule Him on the Cross, Jesus Christ said “Father, forgive them, because they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34; see also Matthew 27:12-14, 34-44; 1 Peter 2:23).

Here is an example of Jesus Christ’s love:

In your lives you must think and act like Christ Jesus. Christ Himself was like God in everything. But He did not think that being equal with God was something to be used for His own benefit. But He gave up His place with God and made Himself nothing. He was born to be a Man and became like a Servant. And when He was living as a Man, He humbled Himself and was fully obedient to God, even when that caused His death — death on a Cross. Philippians 2:5-8 (NCV)

Here is another example of Jesus Christ’s call for loving others:

“For I was hungry, and you fed Me. I was thirsty, and you gave Me a drink. I was a Stranger, and you invited Me into your home. I was naked, and you gave Me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for Me. I was in prison, and you visited Me. . . . I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these My brothers and sisters, you were doing it to Me!” Matthew 25:35-36, 40 (NLT)

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another . . . . Honor one another above yourselves. . . . Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath . . . . On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:9-21 (NIV)