THE KIND OF LOVE THAT STOPS
LOVE IN ACTION
1 John 3:18, 18 “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” ESV
John reminds believers that love is an action word. Throughout Scripture we are reminded that we are to love others beyond words, we are to love through action, just as Jesus did and as He told his disciples to love.
John 13:34, 34 “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”
Jesus was a noticer. He charges His disciples and all believers to do as He did. We are called to notice the needs of others AND to meet those needs. This will mean our lives are interrupted to meet the needs of others, and that is exactly how Jesus lived. He was happy to live an interrupted life, to meet hurting people right where they were, to see them. If we ask Him, He will help us to love like that.
Galatians 5:13-14, 13” For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
Paul reminds us of the command from Leviticus 19:18 18” You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” Jesus was the only one who lived this commandment to the fullest, and as God has delivered us and led us into freedom in Christ, we are called to use that freedom to serve others. Freedom in Christ means living a sacrificial life. It means spending time thinking of the needs of others, not just thinking about our personal needs. This all goes back to the truth that Pastor Shaun shared last week – we are “Blessed to be a blessing.” God blesses believers so that we are equipped to bless others and glorify Him.
JESUS EXEMPLIFIED LOVE IN ACTION FOR HIS DISCIPLES AND FOR BELIEVERS EVERYWHERE. LIKE PASTOR SHAUN SHARED, “LOVE IS NEVER COMPLETE UNTIL IT COSTS YOU SOMETHING.” JESUS’ LOVE WAS SO VERY COSTLY. HE IS CALLING BELIEVERS TO LIVE SELFLESS LIVES, NOT LIVES OF CODEPENDENCY, BUT LIVES HONORING HIS CALLING TO SERVE OTHERS AS HE SERVED. PAUL IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE OF A LIFE LIVED IN SERVICE TO OTHERS, TO LEAD THEM TO FREEDOM IN CHRIST.
Matthew 7:12, 12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
How can we expect others to serve us in ways that we are unwilling to serve them? Jesus taught through Matthew that we should treat everyone as we would like to be treated. This takes intention, it means we think before we act. We ask ourselves, “How would I want to be treated in this situation?” Let us work towards being thoughtful as we take all of this in consideration before we act.
Proverbs 3:3-4, 3” Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good success[a]
in the sight of God and man.”
Solomon with his gift of wisdom reminds us of how important it is to have steadfast love and faithfulness. Loving others will never fail us because we are being obedient to what God instructed us to do and what Jesus did for all of us. Deep love takes us beyond ourselves, beyond convenience, to a place of sacrifice that is genuine and costly.
PUTTING THIS INTO PRACTICE
Take a moment to consider how you love others. Do you exhibit a sacrificial love or a surface level love that is more convenient than costly?
Ask God to reveal any areas of your life where you may need His help to move to a deep love of others.
Read James 2. What point is James trying to bring awareness to in this chapter? Why do you think he uses these examples?
What are some ways that you can show your love through your actions this week? Pick at least one person that you will practice intentional love through serving them as God is calling you to this Thanksgiving week.
Read John 15:1-17. Jesus shares with all believers that He is the source of sacrificial love.
If we do not abide or remain in the love of Jesus, we will not be able to love others as He instructs us to love. What does abiding in the love of Jesus look like in your life? Do you know the fullness of joy that comes from abiding in His love? If this is a struggle for you, please talk to a trusted believing friend or leader and let them help you discover this fullness of joy that comes from abiding in the love of Jesus.
Deep love is a product of the overflow of joy. Like the good Samaritan, it does not count the cost. Write out a prayer asking God to open your eyes to areas of your life that He wants to increase your capacity for deep love.
Thank Jesus for His example, for laying His life down for you, making the ultimate sacrifice to free you from eternal death.
The greatest commandments are to love God and love others. John was a disciple who understood this and wrote instruction to remind believers of the importance of showing our faith through how we love.
Read 1 John 4:7-21. Summarize what John is trying to get across to believers in this passage.
Look up another passage in Scripture that we have not covered here about the importance of our faith being reflected through how we love others. Write out the verse or passage that resonates with your spirit as a reminder of how God calls us to love.
Read 1 John 4:7-21 in a different translation. Sit with this passage and ask God to open your eyes to what He wants you to see and any action steps that He wants you to take.
