Biblical Answer

Showing Love to Those Around Us Without Expecting Anything in Return

As Christians, we are called to love others as God loves us (John 13:34-35). This means showing love to those around us without expecting anything in return. The Bible teaches us that love is not just a feeling, but an action (1 Corinthians 13:3). So, how can we show love to others without expecting anything in return? First, we must be willing to confess our errors and demonstrate our commitment to live differently. This means being honest with others about our mistakes and taking steps to change our behavior. We must also change our habits of indifference or busyness, making a conscious effort to reach out and touch others with affection.

Another way to show love without expecting anything in return is to greet, pray for, listen to, and touch those around us. This means being intentional about making time for others, listening to their needs and concerns, and showing physical affection when appropriate. If we struggle with this, we can ask for forgiveness from God and others, and ask others to pray for us to be able to love in a way that is noticeable. We can also lovingly look them in the eye and remind them of what remains true: "You are my child. I will always love you, even when you are disobedient. Because of that, there is always another chance to try again." This kind of love is not dependent on our feelings or circumstances, but on our commitment to God's love for us.

In our relationships, we must also express love verbally, not just by saying "I love you," but by sending messages of love in direct, personal, specific, and ever-fresh ways. We must discern the strengths and gifts of our partner and communicate them in a way that shows we value and appreciate them. This kind of love is not selfish or manipulative, but selfless and sacrificial. By showing love to others without expecting anything in return, we reflect the character of God and demonstrate our commitment to His love for us. As we do this, we can trust that God will use our love to bring about transformation and redemption in the lives of those around us.