We live in a time that often emphasizes individual success, personal achievements, self-interests, and self-centered feelings. There is a constant urge to prioritize personal goals over everything else. It is a “me-first” society and yet, relationships are the key to our very existence and sustainability in this life. Without relationships, there is no meaning. There is no value in life’s successes if no one can share achievements. There is no connection and benefit of emotions if there is no one to relate our experience with. We all need relationships to feel whole and complete.
A need arises to discover relationships and build a sense of community with others that will cultivate growth and fulfillment. Even those that consider themselves introverts need someone. Deep down, we all relate to other people on some level. To achieve success, it is based on what others may declare as a level of success. For example, I may see myself successful if I am able to get out of bed, but others claim success is making the bed and preparing yourself for a day of work. We also need people to define emotions. What I may call love may be defined differently by someone else.
Therefore, how do we find completeness in our relationships and love for others? It begins with understanding true love. As followers of Jesus, love is defined by God’s love. True love must be accepted into our lives before it can be shared with others. God’s love is a transformative love. 1 John 3:1 says, “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so, we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.” God has given us a love that transforms us into His children. Ephesians 2:4-5 says, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ; by grace you have been saved.” Because of God’s love, we are saved. Because of God’s love, we can find fulfillment.
True love transforms us from the inside out. It is a fulfillment of God’s plan. In all our successes and achievements, there is no greater level of maturity than to love as Jesus loved. The challenge comes from the conflict in our selfish core and God’s command to love others. This love that completes us is a compassionate love (Philippians 1:16) and a unifying love (Philippians 2:2). It is gentle (1 Corinthians 4:21), humble (1 Corinthians 8:1), and patient (Ephesians 4:2). It is sacrificial love after the example of our Savior (1 John 4:9–10). And this love, worked in us by God, fulfills the whole law (Galatians 5:14) and is essential to the faithful and meaningful life (1 Corinthians 13:1–3). The more we love others with true love, the more we fulfill God’s purpose.
True love is also a holy and righteous love. God’s love is not a “get-out-of-jail-free” card. It does not allow for selfish justification of our actions and choices. It calls us to something more fulfilling which is being a follower of Jesus. God loved Adam and Eve, but he still kicked them out of the garden. God loves the Israelites, but they still had to wander for forty years in the desert. God loves you and me, but we still have guilt and consequences to disobedience.
We are made complete in the loving forgiveness and redemption of God’s grace. When we love others despite our personal opinions and differences, we fulfill God’s plan. Conflict arises when we search for fulfillment in misguided efforts. Find your fulfillment in loving God and loving others. This command is the greatest and most rewarding.