Written by Rev. Steve Nickodemus

Love Is An Action Verb.

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

“Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue, but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18

At our church daycare, Valentine’s Day is a big deal.  Children give, and receive, valentines, and a lot of “I love you’s” are spoken. However, this Valentine’s Day, the families in the daycare did something different than just giving each other valentines.  They donated, and put together, “bags of love”…duffle bags full of clothing, blankets, toys, and toiletries that a boy or girl might need if they suddenly found themselves taken from their family because of abuse or neglect.  The bags were packed and taken to where child welfare workers could distribute them in time of need.

John writes, “Dear children, let us love not in word or tongue, but in actions and in truth.” In other words, talk is cheap.  Giving valentines to people who are your friends and family is great, but what about “doing” some loving?  As John is pointing out, love is an action verb.  Loving people is about loving, not talking about loving.

God knew that.  He didn’t just talk about loving sinners, He did something about it.  While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.  Love was demonstrated in the most profound way on a cross. His act of love changes hearts and lives for eternity.

His love “doing” gives me power and freedom to do some love, too, like real forgiving, real acts of kindness, and real unselfishness.

Anybody can say, “I love you”.  Jesus silently went to the cross and loved you and me so much it killed Him.

Thank you, Jesus, for actively loving me every day, and especially for loving me that day on the cross.  Give me faith that expresses itself in real love… Amen.