What is love? How are we suppose to love? Loving ourselves is the easy part. Well, it is easier than loving others. People's personalities, bad habits, and negative characteristics cause us to either love less or strongly dislike that particular person. There are times when we tend to love ourselves less because of our personalities, sins, and bad habits. Sometimes, loving less turns to a strong dislike, which can grow towards hate. We have to do all we can to steer away from hate. Hating people or yourself is not good for any state of mind. Reading various parts of the Bible helps to avoid hateful feelings. Think of the time when Jesus was dying on the cross. He said, "Father, forgive them for they do not know what they do." Now, that is a great example of love. Jesus cares about the well-being of others and forgives people for their wrongdoings. His kind of loving is what I aspire to have, and it is a work in progress every day. Let's take a look at other examples of love from the Bible.

1. Love is a sacrifice. - John 3:16-17

"(16) 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. (17) For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him."

This scripture is one of the most well-known and memorized scriptures throughout the whole Bible. It lays down the foundation of the God's purpose for Jesus. Jesus laid down his life for us. In return, we should lay down our lives for others, especially for the ones we love. Love is a sacrifice.

2. Love is positive. - 1 Corinthians 13:3-8

"(3) If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. (4) Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (5) It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. (6) Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. (7) It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (8) Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away."

If someone or you ever struggle with figuring out what love suppose to look like and feel like, then refer to this scripture in 1 Corinthians. It gives the perfect description of what love is. Love is positive.

3. Love is greater. - Mark 12:30-31

"(30) Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. (31) The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these."

To love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength and love your neighbor as you love yourself is greater than anything that you could imagine. Trust me, it is a million times greater than spending time hating on others. Love binds your relationship with God and others. For example, most couples get married because they LOVE each other. They are IN LOVE with each other. Having a relationship with God requires love to be involved. Assuming that you love yourself, you should treat others in way that you would love to be treated. Love is greater.

4. Love is undivided. - Matthew 6:24

"(24) “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

I feel like many people gasped after Jesus threw shade with those words. This scripture uses money, but money can be easily substituted for another word. You cannot serve both God and your job. You cannot serve both God and football. You cannot serve both God and parties. Serving false gods (your idols) hinders a growing relationship with God. What is distracting you from loving God with all your heart, mind, and soul? Love is undivided.

5. Love is bearing. - Ephesians 4:2

"(2) Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. (3) Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace."

Within your community of family, friends, classmates, and coworkers, everyone should be bearing with one another in love. Holding each other accountable to the understood expectations is love. It is critical for you to take care of each other. Love is bearing.

6. Love is brotherly. - 1 John 3:16

"(6) 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 and sisters."

As stated earlier, Jesus laid down his life for us. In return, we should be willing to lay down our live for our brothers and sisters. Displaying respect and finding ways to better the lives of others are tactics of love. When a person is in need, giving the shirt off of your back will be the acceptable thing to do. Love is brotherly.

7. Love is protecting. - Proverbs 10:12

"(12) Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs."

Hatred creates negative vibes. Negative vibes creates drama. Drama creates a dysfunctional community or relationship. Covering all wrongs with love allows you to not hold on to grudges, so protect your heart from the hatred. Love is protecting.

8. Love is demonstrated. - Romans 5:8

"(8) But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us"

Actions are better than words. It is easy for a person to say "I love you." However, are the person's actions demonstrating love? Reading the Bible will provide amazing illustrations on how God demonstrated His love. He provided food for those who were hungry. He gave shelter for those without a home. He protected Daniel when he was in the lion's den. How are you showing love with your actions? Love is demonstrated.

9. Love is enduring. - 1 Corinthians 13:13

"(13) And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love."

Endurance allows us to participate in something for long periods of time. Our love should last a long time. The same goes for our faith and hope in God. All of it should be everlasting. Love is enduring.

10. Love is God. - 1st John 4:16-21

"(16) And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. (17) This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus.(18) There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (19) We love because he first loved us.(20) Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.(21) And He has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister."

God is love. This set of scriptures is one of my favorite passages. It clarifies who and how are suppose to love. It further defines what it means to truly love others. A person will have a hard time loving God if he/she are hating his/her brothers or sisters.