The Action Of Love
1 Corinthians 13: 4-8
“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. Love never fails.”
You’ve probably heard that Bible verse a thousand times. It shows up in sermons, on Valentines day, and at every wedding you’ve ever attended. It’s kind of a go-to when it comes to understanding what love really means, but as Christians, is it possible that we’ve become numb to it?
We talk a lot about how we should love each other, but often struggle to put it into action.
We say we love our neighbor, our co-workers, our employees, but often lack the follow-through. We celebrate and seek love at all costs, but find the selfless actions that should come with it to be difficult. We misunderstand love because it isn’t just emotion, good intentions, or felt sympathy.
Love requires us to act.
Love denies itself and looks out for the wellbeing of others.
As God’s people, we are not only called to be compelled by love, but it is actually a part of our new nature in Christ.
“Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is Love.” 1 John 4:7-8
Love is not just an attribute of God, it is the character of God.
God doesn’t just love, He is love.
So then, if we are born again, we are born into love. And when the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us, love becomes our new nature. We can easily love people who show us love in return, but if that’s all we do, then what sets us apart?
When we choose to perform the actions of love, we demonstrate who God is to the world around us.
We step into our new nature and shine light into the darkest of places.
This kind of sacrifice is the love that we see lived out by the pastors who care for the rescued children in South Asia every day.
They live in danger, in persecution, and often in poverty, yet these men and women still put the children above themselves. They work tirelessly in obedience despite going unappreciated by their culture and unthanked by their communities. They choose to complete the actions of love every day, even when they don’t feel it, because they know what their new nature in God is.