By Bella Young
Saying “I want to radiate God’s love” is a great start and a command from God (John 15:12). However, how do we do what God has commanded us to do? Let me share with you eight ways that can help you radiate God’s love.
1. Spend Time With God
This is one of the most important ways! God is the reason we love others. We love God because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). Spending time with God and getting to know His character is when you genuinely understand what radiating God’s love means.
2. Be Intentional
Being intentional is extremely important. When you are intentional in your conversations and interactions, you can purposefully radiate and spread God’s love. Colossians 4:5 says, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.”
3. Listen
Not only does listening mean hearing the other person, but it also means understanding what they are saying. How does listening radiate God’s love? By listening to another person, you show that you care and love them; you're representing God. The Bible says, in Proverbs 18:2, that a fool takes no pleasure in understanding. Don’t be a fool; listen to others.
4. Be Considerate
Being considerate means that you are being thoughtful of someone else’s thoughts, feelings, wants, and needs. By being considerate, you become selfless and show the other person that you care. By caring, you are representing Christ and radiating God’s love. (Considering someone’s feelings doesn’t mean you agree...just that you care.) Philippians 2:4 says, “not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.”
5. Love
What is the best way to radiate God’s love? By loving!! Loving your neighbor is the second greatest commandment (Mark 12:30-31). By loving others, we obey God and radiate His love. What is love? The Bible defines love: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8).
6. Give
Giving is one of the best ways to radiate God’s love. When you give, you’re being selfless. You can give to your favorite charity, organization, etc. What can you give? You can give money, donations, or your time! God tells us to give in 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”
7. Be the light
How can you radiate God’s love if you are hidden in the shadows? You can’t. Be the light in the darkness. “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16).
8. Learn to Love Yourself
Loving myself? How does that help me radiate God’s love? You need to radiate God’s love to everyone; this includes you. Take care of yourself. Take mental health days, talk to yourself nicely, learn more about yourself, etc. You are fearfully and wonderfully made! (Psalm 139:14).