The Action Behind Love

Hello friends and welcome back to Abounding In Love. In the last part, we defined our fourth and final word, enough. Since we've spent the last few parts on the amount of God's love, let's get back on the main component of this series - love. Today, we look at earthly signs of love and point them back to God.

So, what do I mean by "signs of love"? Well, how do we know someone loves us? Is it the three short words they say to us that makes us sure? That is nice to hear, isn't it? But what if someone were to 'speak love', but not 'show love'? I feel that if the two were a scale, the 'showing of love' would be heavier, more crucial in being sure that this person, in this case God, does loves you.

I've noticed in the Word that, when God flat out says that He loves us, He also puts action behind it. Like in this verse:

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

John 3:16

This verse didn't end at 'God loved the world', but it continued to explain the action that He put behind said love, which was Jesus being sent, and ultimately, dying for our sins (the truest display of love that gave us the keys to the Kingdom) And look at this one:

Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.

Isaiah 43:4

Another action behind love! Can you imagine if this verse only said, "You are precious and honored in my sight; I love you."? As wonderful as that is, we would not have gotten the impact of 'I will give people and nations in exchange for you.' God doesn't stop at the three short words 'I love you', but He shows action behind His love! His love is, indeed, abounding!

Now, let's look at our 'signs of love'. Think for a moment of the ways those who love you show their love.

Maybe you thought of these ways:

• They listen

For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.

1 Peter 3:12

• They help get your needs met

Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable then they?

Matthew 6:26

• They are honest

The words of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.

Psalm 111:7

• They genuinely want what's best for you

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 29:11

• They are nurturing

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:4

The way God shows His love throughout His Word is remarkable and unmistakable. Every time He shows love, He backs it up with action and that is what makes these verses so powerful. God's love isn't empty words, but every word in the Bible, including the words of fondness, are full.

Although actions are important to 'show' love, it is also necessary to 'say' those three short, yet powerful, words. That's what we will talk about next week! But, for today, dwell in the wonderful ways that God shows His love.