What is love? What is love in action?
We say we love, but do we really know what that means? Love is a verb, an action of sorts. To say you love something or someone and not move upon those emotions, it’s nothing but a noun, a person, place, or thing. When Jesus spoke to His followers in Matthew 25:34-40, he told them to be concerned with and care for those less fortunate than themselves. When we care for those in need, it is as if we care for Jesus Himself.
Look at verse 40: Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. When you consider those words, it just has to change the way you look at those in need.
The passage describes those who are hungry, thirsty, homeless, shivering, sick, incarcerated, overlooked, and ignored. So often we describe those as less fortunate as poor and needy, but by listing less fortunate as homeless and hungry, we have the simple, easy solution of signing a check, dropping coins in a cup, or giving a dollar away to a homeless person on the street.
However, when you really hear what Jesus is saying, it is more than just giving money to the problem, it’s being involved and part of the solution.
Check out the action statements in the words of Matthew 25:34-40:
- You fed
- You gave
- You stopped
- You came
- You did
These are relational words, they are things you can’t do from your computer screen or check book. There are actions that require you to be there, to be involved. These are words that show love for another person. I love that Jesus doesn’t say, If you love me, give me your money. Or, If you want to be healed, send a check for $1,000 and I’ll plant a mustard seed of faith for you. No, throughout the bible we see that it’s relational! [See John 13:35]
Following Jesus means rolling up your sleeves and getting involved in each other’s lives. So I ask: Is your love a verb or a noun? What are you doing to love in action? Monday is story time! Feel free to share… or not.
I have bitter sweet feelings towards this post lol Only because it defines the true definition of what loving like Jesus means rather than my idea of doing the bare minimum just to get by. I think as Christians, scratch that, as a members of society, we need to truly live out Romans 12:15 and weep with those who weep, rejoice with those who rejoice. Sleeves are rolled up and I am ready to get involved Bianca.
Thank you for this amazing post!
🙂
Dude?! Thanks for all the eLove today! Facebook, relinks, the whole 9! Can't wait to see you at the study tomorrow 😉
I love this post, and this message. I think where we, as Christians, get bogged down in this message is in the sheer enormity of it. There are so many issues that deserve our time, our attention, and our concern. There are so many issues that break our hearts as they break God's heart. Our response is often to throw a few dollars at each problem and call it good, rather than devoting ourselves to the problems in our own sphere of influence that we can have a direct impact on.
This post is why I am a member of the Grace Mob for People of the Second Chance. This is why, when a friend I haven't spoken to in over a decade messaged me on FB the other night asking if she could talk to me, I didn't hesitate to give her my number. I spent over an hour on the phone with her, listening to her current problems and offering encouragement and possible solutions. It's also why my teenage daughter's friends (as well as my own, of course) know that if they are going through a hard time, all they have to do is text or call me.
This is why I try to – TRY to – look as much like Jesus as possible so that people know that I am someone they can come to in times of need – or just to celebrate triumphs with! It's important to me to make sure that the people in my life know that I am accessible – that they know that I am approachable.
Thanks for the reminder today of just how important this is – not just to Christians, but to Jesus, as well!
WOW. Thanks for sharing such a personal story, Angela. I love it.
I am having a hard time with this post… I really am
Oh Norma, don't get down! You just planned an ENTIRE vacation bible school!!! Girlfriend, you are loving in action.Rest is doing good and loving your neighbor.xoxo
Bianca, I love this verse and I love that it was part of a morning devotional on our trips to Haiti. A perfect reminder that it applies at home everyday, something to remember in the craziness that is Orange County. THANK YOU !!
Oh sweet Lynda, you're the best!!! Is this for FIRST comment? Wow!Woohoo 😉
First in a long time!
Gonna think about it while I do the dishes. I was just thinking about this topic at work!
er, I meant, think about it some more and gather my thoughts to throw out there.
You do dishes?Wow, I feel like a bad wife 😉
My brother is not a believer and I love him so much. My brother is 34 and has Asperger's Syndrome and well, sadly, no friends. My brother tells people I'm his best friend. As his sissy, I take him out on drives around Hollywood looking for the address where Jim Morrisson wrote L.A. Woman, finding the burger joint Phil Spector liked to eat at, and so on. During those drives, there are times when my brother begins to ask questions about eternity and his fear of death and why he was born the way he was and why people don't like to be his friend. It's hard being nice to him sometimes and let alone driving out in traffic for an outing that no one else is willing to do but I do it. It's not me. It's the heart of God telling me to love him the way Jesus loved people. I have 2 choices. Just tell my brother that God loves him OR be involved in his life and love on him like crazy. Yeah, being involved it is. Plus, he's one rad dude. When he's not driving me out of my mind, but hey that's what brother's are for! Also, I'm soooooo not of fan of dishes. I love to cook and make my husband's lunch, but when it comes to the dishes, I want to disappear. Like don't they have a machine where you throw away everything that is dirty and new dishes, pans, and silverware appear?!?!?!
I love you, E. I had no clue. You're an amazing girl with an amazing brother.
Great stuff, Bianca! An excellent reminder that we as Christians can't just sit on our laurels while the world so desparately needs what we've got…
Thank you!
Yes?
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This hit home for me.. in many ways. Especially since I haven't been working or in school all I do is stay home. I'm guilty of being only a hearer of the Word and not so much a Doer. And I'm Also guilty of loving from afar and not being relational.. Thanx for sharing! ! !
P.S May I Steal the Picture "Love in action" ??
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