Love Is More Than A Word

Love is indeed more than a word, it is much more, it is a will put into action.  John wrote, “My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth” 1 John 3:18.

Love is vertical and horizontal.  It extends to God and to man.  One’s love for God determines how he loves his family, friends, neighbors, and yes even his enemies (Matthew 22:37, John 13:34-35, Ephesians 5:25, Titus 2:4-5, Matthew 22:39, Matthew 5:44).

Love is to be the backbone of our actions (1 Corinthians 13:1-13).  It matters little what is done or how much of it, if it is ill motivated.  A careful inventory must continually be taken here.  This requires a look within not without.

Love is to be put into action (1 Corinthians 13:4-7).  Statement is one thing, and actions are another.  There have been more than a few children while being told how much they are loved are battered and bruised.  Likewise there have been some children of God who being told how much they are loved are spiritually battered and bruised.  Love acts in accordance with the claim.

Love learns to be sacrificial (1 John 3:17, John 15:13).  Love is willing to give of themselves and other means when a legitimate need is present.  It never turns a deaf ear to a genuine need.

Love is to be without pretense (Romans 12:9-10).  This demands that love takes its root deep within the person’s heart not on the end of his tongue.  It results in feelings and emotion, not unconcern and apathy.  Also note 1 Peter 1:22.

Love works no ill to his neighbor (Romans 13:10).  Some live for revenge.  While some may not take revenge, they may harbor ill feelings and say hurtful things for years.  This is not loving a person but hating him, which is a serious infraction 1 John 3:15.

Love is to be benevolent (1 John 3:17).  For one to see a brother in genuine need and shut up his bowels of compassion from him does not love him or God.  The attitude of love is seen in Acts 4:34-37, Acts 2:44-45 and 2 Corinthians 8:1-5.  Love is benevolent out of a pure heart.

Love is a beautiful thing when properly expressed and done genuinely.  One cannot love God without loving his brethren 1 John 4:20-21 and love is much more than a word, it is in us God’s will in action.

Bill Cantrell