[Scripture Reading: Romans 13:10]

A. Love and faith are much alike: they are both lasting (1 Corinthians 13:13), and yet neither can be perceived by the natural senses.

B. Intangible things like faith and love can only be detected and measured by their effects (James 2:14-26; cf. Hebrews 11).

C. How can you tell if someone loves you? What are love’s effects?

I. Love serves.

A. If we love God, we will serve Him (Matthew 6:24).

B. If we love one another as brethren should, we will serve one another (Galatians 5:13-15; John 13:12-17).

C. Love “does not seek its own” (1 Corinthians 13:5).

II. Love waits.

A. Love is always what has compelled God to be patient with mankind (2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16).

B. If we love one another, we will forbear one another (Ephesians 4:1-3) and forgive one another (Colossians 3:12-14).

C. When unmarried couples truly love one another, they will wait for one another (Hebrews 13:4; Matthew 1:24-25; Genesis 29:20).

D. Love “suffers long” (1 Corinthians 13:4).

III. Love obeys.

A. Love provokes us to obey God (John 14:15; 1 John 5:1-3).

B. Love provokes children to obey their parents, because God requires it (Ephesians 6:1-3).

C. Love provokes wives to obey their husbands, because this is God’s plan (Ephesians 5:22-25; 1 Peter 3:5-6).

D. Love compels us to obey our elders (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13).

IV. Love instructs.

A. Jesus taught people because He loved them (Mark 10:21).

B. Paul instructed his brethren out of love (1 Corinthians 16:24).

C. Love should constrain us to teach others (2 Corinthians 5:10-14).

D. Love “rejoices in the truth” (1 Corinthians 13:6).

V. Love corrects.

A. When we discipline our children out of love, it is effective, and, in the end, it is even appreciated (Hebrews 12:5-17).

B. The Lord also corrects those He loves (Revelation 3:19).

C. We have a responsibility to correct those who have lost their love for the Lord (1 Corinthians 5:1-13; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12).

D. Love “does not rejoice in iniquity” (1 Corinthians 13:6).

VI. Love sacrifices.

A. Our Lord demonstrated His great love for us in the sacrifice that He made (John 3:16; 15:12-14; 1 John 4:7-11).

B. Parents often show their love in the sacrifices they make (2 Corinthians 12:11-15).

A. If you have abandoned your love for the Lord, you need to repent (Revelation 2:4-5), and God is willing to forgive (Ephesians 4:32).

B. Love is what compelled Jesus to bear the sins of the world on your behalf; how have you demonstrated your love for Him?