Mature Love

Excerpt from BOOK: Inside Out by Larry Crabb

INWARD: The Inside Look

"I believe... that every personal or behavioral problem one might wish to change (for example, bad temper, perverted sexual desires, depression, anxiety, overeating) results ultimately from violations of the command to love... learning to love is [a] necessity for spiritual maturity...

When we are convinced that every problem in living, both between people and within them, reflects a style of relating that violates God's standard of love, and when we see that learning to love is an inside job requiring far more than moral effort, we will be eager to take an inside look." - Dr. Larry Crabb

“We were designed to love and when we do, something good develops inside. We feel clean, rich, whole. Even better, we become less concerned with how we feel and more concerned with the lives of others.” - Larry Crabb

“The goal of our sanctification is that we place Christ on display in the way we love others.” - Larry Crabb

"The central message of Christianity: We've been called into relationship with God so [ that, among other things,] we may relate more deeply with others... The Christian's call is to relationship, to loving, non-defensive involvement with others." - Dr. Larry Crabb

“Love is not our duty; it is our destiny!” - N.T. Wright

"And the Lord your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live." - Deuteronomy 30:6 ESV

"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 13:4-7 NIV

"Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments... are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law." - Romans 13:8-10 NLT

"Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God." - Ephesians 5:1-2 NLT

Be imitators of God in everything you do, for then you will represent your Father as his beloved sons and daughters. And continue to walk surrendered to the extravagant love of Christ, for he surrendered his life as a sacrifice for us. His great love for us was pleasing to God, like an aroma of adoration—a sweet healing fragrance." - Ephesians 5:1-2 TPT