Love: Practicing Love and Compassion

Rooted in Virtue – A Year of Spiritual Practice

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, just as I have loved you, that you also love one another." – John 13:34 (NASB)

The Depth of Love

Beloved, have you ever stood beneath the shade of a mighty tree, its branches stretched wide, its roots deep in the earth? That tree does not stand by accident—it thrives because it is planted by the waters, drawing life from an unseen source. This is the picture of our spiritual journey when we are rooted in Christ.

Our theme for this year is “Rooted in Virtues: A Year of Spiritual Practice”, drawn from Jeremiah 17:7-8. We are called to be like that tree, unshaken by drought, ever-growing, and bearing fruit. And the first virtue we must cultivate is love—the very essence of who God is.

Love is more than a feeling or an occasional act of kindness; it is a spiritual discipline, a commitment, and a lifestyle. Jesus commands us to love as He has loved us—sacrificially, unconditionally, and without hesitation. But how do we develop a love that is deeply rooted and enduring? Today, we will explore how to Go Deep, Grow Deep, and Stay Rooted in love so that it flows from our hearts into the lives of others.

Deep Roots: The Biblical Foundation of Love

Love is not just a suggestion; it is the very foundation of our faith. When Jesus gave the command in John 13:34, He was speaking to His disciples after washing their feet—a profound act of humility and love. He was preparing them for the reality that true love is not self-seeking but self-giving.

The Apostle Paul reinforces this truth in 1 Corinthians 13:4-7:

"Love is patient, love is kind, it is not jealous; love does not brag, it is not arrogant. It does not act disgracefully, it does not seek its own benefit; it is not provoked, does not keep an account of a wrong suffered, it does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; it keeps every confidence, it believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." (NASB)

If we are to be rooted in love, we must anchor ourselves in the Word of God and let it define our understanding of love—not the world’s version, but the divine, transformative love that changes hearts and lives.

Go Deep: Cultivating Love in the Heart

To develop deep roots in love, we must cultivate it intentionally. Here are three ways to practice love as a spiritual discipline:

1. Daily Prayer for a Loving Heart
   • Pray each morning for God to fill you with His love. Ask Him to help you see people as He sees them and to remove anything in your heart that hinders love—bitterness, pride, or unforgiveness.
2. Meditate on Scriptures of Love
   • Choose a verse about love each week and reflect on it. Write it down, place it where you’ll see it, and allow it to renew your mind. Consider verses like Romans 12:9-10:
   • “Love must be free of hypocrisy. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.” (NASB)
3. Journal Prompts on Love
   • Take time to reflect on these questions:
     1. How has God shown His love to me recently?
     2. Are there areas where I struggle to love others?
     3. How can I demonstrate love more intentionally this week?

Grow Deep: Living Out Love Daily

Love must move from our hearts into action. It is not enough to say we love—we must show it. Here are three ways to live out love daily:

1. Serve Others with Humility
   1. Love is best expressed through service. Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, showing that no act of love is beneath us. Look for opportunities to serve, whether it’s helping a neighbor, volunteering at church, or simply listening to someone who needs encouragement.
2. Practice Forgiveness
   1. Love and forgiveness go hand in hand. We cannot claim to love while holding onto grudges. Colossians 3:13 reminds us:
   2. “Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so must you do also.” (NASB)
   3. Let go of resentment, and choose grace instead.
3. Speak Life and Encouragement
   1. Our words can either build up or tear down. Proverbs 16:24 says:
   2. “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” (NASB)
   3. Make it a habit to affirm and encourage others—whether through a kind word, a heartfelt note, or a prayer spoken over someone’s life.

Stay Rooted: Persevering in Love

There will be times when love is difficult—when people hurt us, when our patience is tested, or when we feel empty. But love is not based on emotions; it is rooted in Christ.

Here’s how we stay rooted:

1. Remain Connected to the Source
   1. A tree does not bear fruit on its own; it draws strength from its roots. Likewise, we must abide in Christ (John 15:5). Stay in the Word, remain in prayer, and rely on the Holy Spirit to sustain you.
2. Trust God to Fill You
   1. Sometimes we hesitate to love because we fear being depleted. But God is our endless supply! Isaiah 40:29 says:
   2. “He gives strength to the weary, and to the one who lacks might He increases power.” (NASB)
   3. When you feel like you have nothing left to give, trust that God will refill you with His love.
3. Let Love Be Your Testimony
   1. Jesus said in John 13:35:
   2. “By this all people will know that you are My disciples: if you have love for one another.” (NASB)
   3. The world is watching. Let your life be a testimony of God’s love, so that others may be drawn to Him.

Love as Our Legacy

Beloved, love is not just a virtue—it is the mark of a true disciple. If we are rooted in love, we will bear the fruit of compassion, kindness, and grace.

Today, I challenge you:

• Go Deep—Seek God’s love in prayer and His Word.
• Grow Deep—Live out love through action, forgiveness, and service.
• Stay Rooted—Remain in Christ, trusting Him to sustain you.

May we be a people whose leaves never wither, whose love never runs dry, and whose lives reflect the love of Christ to the world.

Let us pray:

Heavenly Father, fill our hearts with Your love. Teach us to love as You love—without condition, without hesitation. May our roots grow deep in Your presence so that we may bear the fruit of love in every season. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Stay rooted in love, church family. Love never fails.