LOVE IS A VERB

Paul Hebron

Action Hero
Ever hear of an action hero who does nothing? They wouldn't be an action hero at all unless their heroic words were backed by heroic deeds. If the hero only spoke of heroic deeds and talked of being a hero, eventually he would be identified as all-talk and no action.

Jesus Loves You.
I went up to a man and said ‘Jesus loves you’ …but I realised that it didn’t mean anything unless I did it.--- Jackie Pullinger, Missionary and Author of Chasing the Dragon

What Kind of Love?
If you tell someone you love them and they have no context of having received love, it may not mean anything. Especially if they have never experienced a healthy, Godly love. Even with our understanding that God is LOVE, what does that mean in day to day expressions.
Read 1 Corinthians 13

Love for Them Too?
Matthew 5:41-47 -- Notice the action described in verses 41 and 42
41- If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42- Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Love for Enemies
43 -"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 44- But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45- that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 46- If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47- And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?

Our Example
It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.--John 13:1 Jesus demonstrated and commanded us to have this kind of love. At Romans 5:8 we read: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Love is an Action Word.
Not word service, but action. Love is not abstract feeling, but love is demonstrated by what we do. It is demonstrated by how we treat God, our neighbors and ourselves.-- Matthew 22:37-39
37- Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' 38- This is the first and greatest commandment. 39- And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'

Jackie Pullinger understood for God's love to have meaning to others, she would need to practice love to make it tangible. May God enrich our understanding of his love so we can demonstrate it to others and become action heroes for God.

New International Version is used. Scriptures referenced: John 13:34,35 John 15:12.