✝️In Matthew 22:36-40 and Mark 12:28-34, Jesus is asked by one of the religious leaders, “Which is the greatest commandment in the law?” Jesus responds “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

In this statement, the Master was saying that, above all else, love is most important and that we should determine to express, demonstrate, and direct our love to God and others. In 1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul states that no matter how eloquent we may be, no matter how great a gift we may possess, no matter how great of knowledge we acquire and understanding we have, no matter how many mountains our faith can move, no matter how much we give or how sacrificial our actions towards our loved ones, customers or employees, if these acts are not done in love they mean nothing. Love is preeminent, and everything we do must personify love. Otherwise, what we do is meaningless.

The question is, what is love and how do you manifest it in your life and business? Love is an unconditional demonstration of care and affection towards others through your actions and reactions. Love is characterized by these 15 expressions:🗣

• Suffers long – Love is patient and willing to endure difficult moments with others.

• Kind – Love genuinely expresses favor towards others.

• Does not envy – Love does not resent the possessions, qualities, or advantages of others.

• Does not parade itself – Love does not brag or show off.

• Is not puffed up – Love does not exaggerate.

• Is not rude – Love is not offensive towards others.

• Does not seek its own – Love does not only look out for its own self-interest.

• Is not provoked – Love is not easily irritated or angered.

• Thinks no evil – Love does not think negatively of others.

• Does not rejoice in iniquity – Love does not delight in immorality or injustice.

• Rejoices in truth – Love delights in honesty and in things that are factual, not perceptions and hearsay.

• Bears all things – Love is supportive of others.

• Believes all things – Love has confidence in others.

• Hopes all things – Love expects good things of others.

• Endures all things – Love is tolerant of others.

How much do you love the Lord? How much do you love your spouse and other members of your family? How much do you love your employees and your customers? It can be easy to say we love someone. But when we put that "love" to the test, we may discover that our statement is more of an emotional response rather than an internal, unconditional conviction of our care and affection towards them. 1 John 4:20-21 tells us that you cannot truly love God unless it is demonstrated by your love for others. As difficult as it is to consistently love this way, it has incredible benefits:🙌

1. It never fails. - 1 Corinthians 13:8.

2. It removes all fears. - 1 John 4:18.

Imagine never having to worry about failed relationships in your marriage, friendships, and business. Imagine never facing fear again. What a wonderful (and scriptural) way to overcome the fear of failure: just love.

My prayer for you this week is that God will give you the grace to demonstrate the greatest gift in all your relationships so you may glorify Him in everything you do.

Copyright © Patrice Tsague NPIM