Love Must Be Shown

“They do not love who do not show their love.” (William Shakespeare’s – Two Gentlemen of Verona).

Scripture teaches that love is a BIG DEAL in the Christian life. As I shared in my sermon this past Sunday: Jesus expressed His love to us, exemplified love for us and now expects this love of us. Therefore, as the children of God, we have every reason to practice the love of God with others in our life.

I think some think they love when they only think it. Others say they love when they only say it. But we show we love only when we share it. This is what the Bible teaches—

“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…Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:16-18).

The bottom line is this: Love must be shown! This is the measure of love in scripture. How we know that we love is certain only as we show that we love.

This means love must be shown practically. True love expresses itself in tangible, material and practical ways. Jesus said, “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was a stranger and you invited me in; I needed clothes and you clothed me; I was in prison and you visited me.” And they answered, “when did we see you…” He answered, “When you did it for one of the least of these you did it for me.” (Matthew 25:35-40).

Notice that every expression of love is a practical one. It is in a practical way that our love is authenticated. In addition, I would add to that—

Love must be shown personally. Even so, God got personally involved in our salvation. “Jesus Christ laid down his life for us” (1 John 3:16). God’s love reached down from the heights of heaven to the depths of sinful humanity on earth and all the way to the cross. That kind of love demands my love. In fact, this is one reason why I have always loved the song, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, which says, “Love so amazing, so divine, Demands my soul, my life, my all.” This speaks of personal involvement, sacrifice, and the giving of our all for others to God’s glory.

So love must be shown—and really, we should want it to be shown. Two reasons for this: First, we benefit from it. A life of love is a positive life—the best possible life. There is an old proverb: He who brings sunshine to others will always get some on himself. A life of love is beneficial to us. Secondly, others need it. There is a world of need that requires our compassionate response. We make life a little better for some when we share the love of God with them. What the World Needs Now—is still the Love of God. This love must be shown! Show it today!

Devotedly yours,
Pastor Ron