07/24/2021
Do we say that we love the Lord our God, and His Son Jesus Christ? Do we speak of our faith, and of loving others, and feel righteous because of it? Do we know and profess the commandments of God, and Jesus? Well saying these things, and knowing these things, is not enough, because we will be judged by the deeds in love, and faith that we perform, and the truth that is made evident by these, our actions. Are we simply sayers of love, and faith, or doers?
“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
1 John 3:18 ESV
Scripture tells us to love God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength.
“And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.””
Luke 10:27-28 ESV
These are not just words, but actions we are meant to take. I chose to quote from Luke today because He makes this exceedingly clear when he continues on to say “do this, and you will live.” Love is an emotion and can’t be seen but it can be felt, touched, and experienced by what we actually do. We can show that it resides in our heart by doing such things as sacrificing our wellbeing for others, like a husband who gives up his coat to keep his wife warm on a frigid night. We can love with our mind by thinking of ways that show we love someone, like writing a poem, or remembering the day we were married to our spouse with a special gift. We can demonstrate the love that is in our soul by pledging our love before God, praying together, or offering up our life for one another. Finally, the degree of our love is demonstrated in the strength we apply to it… the determination with which we pursue these other things, or defend those we love. All of these are actions that show what can’t be seen, touched, tasted, or smelled… they are actions that embody the love we have. So standing on a mountaintop and shouting that we love someone, or God, might be a good start, but doing the things of love are what makes our emotion real. Are we doers?
“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?”
1 John 3:17 ESV
In mathematics it is good to think of a solution to a problem, but every good mathematical epiphany requires a proof before it is accepted as truth by others. Sure it is no less true before an equation is written that proves it, but until that is done then it is just a theory, and will never be fully realized, or included in the body of mathematics as truth… a theorem.
Love is nothing more than a theory until it is proven by our actions, or works… by our doing. Our profession of faith is the same; we see it only when it has been acted upon. Even Abraham acted on his faith…
“Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;”
James 2:21-22 ESV
So, how is our love, our faith, our righteousness, or our holiness? Are we simply a mist of words that disperses and becomes lost in the day… never proven, or realized? Do we say I love, or y today we should feed the hungry, and never follow either up with action? Are we simply a mist?
Prayer:
Father, thank you for not only giving us the ability to love, and allowing us to know it in our hearts, minds, and souls, but thank you for presenting us with opportunities to realize this emotion in real and tangible ways by our actions. We thank you for loving us so greatly that you acted upon your love by sending your Son Jesus to live, suffer, die, and be resurrected, to redeem us. We know the value you placed in His actions because as s result of His obedience you lifted Him up, and seated Him at your right hand. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who loves, and desires to be loved. Great is your feeling of love for us, and great are the actions of love you pour out over us as blessings. Praised be your name for the words of love you profess that are followed by the many tangible ways we experience it. Help us Lord to be more than just sayers of love, and faith. Lead us to be doers as we live out the love and faith that is within us. Forgive us Holy Father for all the times we have neglected to act on our love, and our faith in Jesus. Wash us clean in the blood of Jesus, and let us see this as a most amazing act of your love for us. Then, let us lift up our hands in song and praise to glorify you forevermore.
Rich Forbes