Even when we know what the Bible says is right or wrong, how do we know what to do or say about it?  Not just in our own behavior, but when responding to the culture around us and the actions of others- when do we speak up?  When do we stay silent?  When is it more important to make peace and when is addressing injustice the priority?  How do we know?  It turns out, it’s less about the situation itself and more about the heart of God:

God is love. If you’re not operating in the love of God then you’re not operating in God. (excerpt from Feed The Seed & Meet The Need pt.1, by Dr. Chester C. Pipkin)

Whatever the circumstances, our response must be governed by God’s love for people- for souls.  In fact, the Bible puts it this way:

He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.… And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. (1 John 4:8, 16 NKJV)

This gives us a simple and powerful way to check ourselves and know whether we are really in line with what God is saying and doing in a given situation.  Even when we warn someone that what they’re doing is wrong, it should come from a heart that wants the best for that person, not a heart that wants to put people down.

If we want to represent God to the people around us, we have to test ourselves on the love question.  If we don’t pass, God is eagerly waiting for us to seek His help in fixing that.  After all, God is love!