Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18 NIV
Saying I love you isn’t enough, it never has been.
I have seen love exemplified in marriage. You know those couples who are constantly serving one another and outdoing one another with kindness and affection? Everyone can tell they are in love simply by the way they look at each other, but that is not the end of the story. They are not known for their love because they say it. They are known for their love because they show it. Their love for one another compels them to act.
Most of us would agree that saying I love you is not enough. We want relationships where words are met by actions. I am under the impression that if someone loves me, they will also show me.
God demonstrated His love…
But what does that really mean? The Bible says that God loves us, but how can we really be sure? We can be assured that God loves us because He GAVE for us. God, the Father, GAVE His only Son. Then Jesus willingly submitted to the Father and GAVE up His life so that we would have an opportunity to receive eternal life.
For God SO LOVED the world that HE GAVEHis one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 NIV
This is how we KNOW what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 1 John 3:16-17 NIV
God has provided the example and from His example we can deduct that love is more than an exchange of words. Love is an action and love actively gives.
God loves me, now what?
Love Him back! As a person who has experienced unrequited love firsthand, I believe I can confirm that it sucks. Loving someone when they do not love you back is something no one, including God, wants to experience. And God does not just want to hear us say we love Him. He wants us to actually love Him. If not, our words become empty in His ears. God wants your heart not just your words.
The Lord says: “These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, BUT their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught. Isaiah 29:13 NIV
Now you’re like, “Thanks a lot Ayanna, but how do I love God? There are 13 love languages. Which one does He prefer”? Ok, here it is. Thankfully, loving God is easier than we make it. Jesus said it plainly, if you do in fact love Him, do what He says. He gave us everything we need in His Word and through His Holy Spirit.
“If you love me, keep my commands.” John 14:15 NIV
Finally, treat God like you treat the one you are truly in love with. Be excited about your relationship with Him and the opportunity to get know Him. When we love someone, we become the best versions of ourselves for them. Have you ever noticed that when you love someone you begin to like what they like? For instance, a man in love with a woman may begin aiming higher because the woman he loves inspires him. Similarly, if the right man comes into a woman’s life, she may be inspired to pursue her dreams.Treat God just like that. Fall in love with Him so deeply that you want what He wants, that you hurt when He hurts, that you smile when He smiles. Love Him so much that you love like He does.
Love Him like that. Let your love do more than just speak. Let your love act.
Big Hugs,
Ayanna