But now these three remain—
faith, hope, and love.
And the greatest of these is love. 1 Corinthians 13:13, TLV
Action vs. Words? Or Both? With all the dissent and fear and anxiety around us, is the LORD requiring more loving action and less talk of love? Yes. And no.
It’s important to remember that love — like faith and hope — is an action word. It’s a choice. A choice of gratitude for a powerful, loving GOD who knows what He’s doing even when the world says He doesn’t. We don’t have to feel love because if we have to feel it before we do it, then not much would get done. Think laundry and dishes.
We love, because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19, TLV)
Maybe the only thing we can do today is to commit to love our neighbor as ourselves (Leviticus 19:18; Mark 12:13).
What about the No?
We definitely need more loving action, but these days where social
media reigns in the hearts and minds of so many, we need more talk of love. Especially with so many words of hatred—on all sides.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the worldly forces of this darkness, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:23, TLV)
Even while there is a physical struggle against those who would harm innocents on both sides, we must remember who the great deceiver is who darkens the hearts of souls.
Friday was the final day of Hanukkah, and Thursday night we lit the final candle. Can simple words of love amid the darkness of hatred and violence make a difference? Little lights of truth and love? Only our Father who sees all—from the creation to the final moments—knows the impact our words and actions of love will have. But we are commanded to:
Love God and love others.
It’s the law in action. The little light we have within us is worth shining.
