LOVE IN ACTION
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
1 John 3:16-18 (NIV)
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”
John 13:34 (NIV)
I love tacos. I love sunsets. I love it when my car is clean. We sure throw the word love around a lot! Today’s Scripture teaches us that true love is much deeper. God’s love goes way beyond the simple pleasures in life.
One of the most often used words for love in the Old Testament is hesed. Scholars have said that this word is quite possibly the most beautiful word in the entire Bible! Because Hesed is the defining characteristic of God, it’s not surprising that it’s virtually untranslatable. In fact, Hesed is so rich with meaning that it has been translated in 169 different ways in 6 different English translations. Scholars don’t know exactly what to do with it.
But even more than a feeling or a particular experience, love is an action. Fun fact: In 1535, the very word lovingkindness was invented in an attempt to express love as both emotion and action. Love is something we do. It’s a choice we make to care for ourselves and others in tangible and practical ways. It’s wrapped around the idea of living our lives for God because of who He is and what He’s done.
As C.S. Lewis writes, God’s love is not wearied by our sins & is relentless in its determination that we be cured at whatever cost to us or Him. For God, love is more than a feeling. It’s an action. Love is sacrificial and always centered around the good of others.
APPLICATION: Choose one way to put love into action today.
PRAYER: God, I’m amazed that You don’t merely have loving thoughts toward me, which I know You do! But that Your thoughts and feelings cause You to act. You’ve shown me so much love, and for that, I am eternally grateful. Fill me with Your love today so I might love others with my actions. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?