Love is the subject of many books and movies. Sexual love is the primary focus so many times in our society. However, there are many different levels of love. There is the love for a husband or wife, the love for a child, love for parents, relatives and friends. All are loved but loved in different ways.

As followers of Christ, we are examples to those without Him. People watch, they observe how we show love to them, to our spouses, to our children, etc.

We need to be taught to love others and God has provided the textbook…His words in the Holy Bible.

God’s word is to be put into practice in our lives, His word is not to be read and then dismissed as not very important. Each day is a test, to put His words into action or not, that is your choice and mine.

Naomi was loved by Ruth and Orpah, her two daughters-in-law. To be loved is to love others by word and actions. Naomi must have been a great mother-in-law. And Orpah and Ruth were probably good daughters-in-law. As these verses in the first chapter of Ruth are read there is the sense that there was a mutual love and respect between these women.

What is your relationship between you and your relatives? Is there a problem that you need to address that is your responsibility without putting the blame on another? Love will never, ever fail. To choose to love a person is a first step in repairing a relationship. Who do you need to choose to love?

Perhaps you would use the following as a master list as you pray about your relationships:

1 Corinthians 13:4-8a is one place where godly love is spelled out for us. Is your love patient, is it kind? Is it without jealousy? Love does not brag, and love is not arrogant, love does not act unbecomingly. Love does not seek its own way. Love is not provoked. Love does not keep a record of wrongs. Love has true joy when truth is lived out. Love will never fail to bring good at some point in time.

(NASB) Ruth 1:8-10 “And Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “˜Go, return each of you to her mother’s house. May the Lord deal kindly with you as you have dealt with the dead and with me.

9 “˜May the Lord grant that you may find rest, each in the house of her husband.’ Then she kissed them, and they lifted up their voices and wept.

10 And they said to her, “˜No, but we will surely return with you to your people.'”

***Love was expressed through action by Naomi and her two daughters-in-law. This didn’t happen right at that moment, it had been practiced for many years. (Remember that our good characteristics have a dichotomy and can also be negative. As we see the character of Naomi, which now appears as loving, will later be discussed as a negative.)

Godly love is sacrificial, it is unselfish.

These three women are excellent examples you and I can follow in loving our relatives. No matter if love is not reciprocated, your part and mine is to give others godly love.

How can others know our Lord and God if we do not follow His words in our relationships?

How shall you now love others as you think about God’s instructions in 1Corinthians 13:4-8a as given in this devotional?