Why You Need to Prioritize Love

Because God is love, the most important lesson he wants you to learn on earth is how to love. It is in loving that we are most like him, so love is the foundation of every command he has given us: “The whole law can be summed up in this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’”(Galatians 5:14 NLT). 

These words take on even greater significance for those in spiritual leadership. The level of love within your church reveals the spiritual health of the fellowship. Paul makes this point: “No matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love” (from the Message paraphrase of 1 Corinthians 13:3-7). 

Jesus said our love for each other—not our doctrinal beliefs—is our greatest witness to the world. He said, “Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35 NLT). 

Love isn’t just something you must emphasize in a sermon from time to time, like tithing or evangelism. You need to consistently teach your people to prioritize love. The Bible says, “Let love be your highest goal!” (1 Corinthians 14:1 NLT). Help your church make relationships their highest ambition by teaching them three simple truths:

1. Life without love is really worthless. 
Often we act as if relationships are something to be squeezed into our schedule. We talk about finding time for our children or making time for people in our lives. That gives the impression that relationships are just a part of our lives along with many other tasks. But God says relationships are what life is all about.

We can summarize what Jesus said matters most to God in two statements: Love God and love people (Matthew 22:37-39). After learning to love God (worship), learning to love others is the second purpose of your life.

Busyness is a great enemy of relationships. People become preoccupied with making a living, working, paying bills, and accomplishing goals as if these tasks are the point of life. They are not. The point of life is learning to love—to love God and people. Life minus love equals zero.

2. Love will last forever. 
Another reason God tells us to make love our top priority is that it is eternal: “These three things continue forever:faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13 NCV).

Love leaves a legacy. Mother Teresa taught that it’s not what you do, but how much love you put into it that matters. Love is the secret of a lasting heritage.

I have been at the bedside of many people in their final moments, when they stand on the edge of eternity, and I have never heard anyone say, “Bring me my diplomas! I want to look at them one more time. Show me my awards, my medal, that gold watch I was given.” When life on earth is ending, people don’t surround themselves with objects. What we want around us is people—people we love and have a relationship with. In our final moments, we all realize that relationships are what life is all about. Wisdom is learning that truth sooner rather than later.

3. We will be evaluated on our love. 
One of the ways God measures spiritual maturity is by the quality of your relationships. In heaven, God won’t say, “Tell me about your career, your bank account, and your hobbies.” Instead, he will review how you treated other people, particularly those in need. Jesus said the way to love him is to love his family and care for their practical needs: “Whenever you did it for any of my people, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did it for me” (Matthew 25:40 CEV).

People need to understand that when you transfer into eternity, you will leave everything else behind. All you’re taking with you is your character. That’s why the Bible says, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” (Galatians 5:6 NIV).

Knowing this, encourage people in your church to pray this simple prayer every morning: “God, whether I get anything else done today, I want to make sure that I spend time loving you and loving other people—because that’s what life is all about. I don’t want to waste this day.” 

When you spend your day loving God and loving others, that’s a day well spent.

This article has been adapted from the first edition of Rick Warren’s best-selling book, The Purpose Driven Life.