As I close this series of blogs on love, I want to remind you that love is an action word.  Do you remember the definition I gave of agapé in an earlier blog?  Here it is again: “Love always acts in the best interest of whatever it is that is loved.”  So, love always acts.  John had something to say about this.

1 John 3:18 (ESV)
¹⁸  Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.

John is not saying that there is something wrong with verbalizing our love to others, but he is emphasizing that it must be backed up by action.  Love gets to work.

If we love our brethren, we give them a helping hand when they are in need.  In James 2:15-16, he asked, “If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?  The implied answer is no good at all.  Love has this in common with faith—without works it is useless.

The action that love takes depends on the need.  It might involve physical labor, financial aid, or, in some cases, if the need has to do with some kind of emotional crisis, it might involve encouraging words or listening ears.  The point is, love never sits back idly while someone is in need.

We can do no greater work for others than to help God save their souls.  As Paul said in 2 Corinthians, we should be compelled by the love of Christ to try to persuade men to accept Jesus, especially knowing that we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ someday (2 Corinthians 5:10-14).  How can we say we love those who are lost when we make no effort to rescue them from damnation?  We all must keep the great commission.  Love demands it.

Matthew 28:19 (ESV)
¹⁹  Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

The second greatest work we can do is help restore brethren who go astray.  The same love that constrains us to preach to the lost should compel us to urge brethren to repent when they begin to live in sin.  

Galatians 6:1-2 (ESV)
¹  Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. ²  Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

What law of Christ was Paul referring to here?  The law to love one another (Matthew 19:19; John 13:34; Galatians 5:14).  This is not done by talk, but by action.  If we are to demonstrate love for our brethren, we must actually bear some burdens, in this case, by attempting to restore one who has fallen.  James tells us that when we are successful in our endeavor, we help save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.  Peter tells us what covers sin.

1 Peter 4:8 (ESV)
⁸  Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things