Love in Action

December 7

(Psalm 136:23-26 NIV) “To the One who remembered us in our low estate His love endures forever. {24} and freed us from our enemies, His love endures forever. {25} and who gives food to every creature. His love endures forever. {26} Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.”

(1 Corinthians 13:1-13 NIV) “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. {2} If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. {3} If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. {4} Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. {5} It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. {6} Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. {7} It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. {8} Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. {9} For we know in part and we prophesy in part, {10} but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. {11} When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. {12} Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. {13} And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”

A second reading of Psalm 136 reveals that God’s enduring love is not just love in words -- it is a love in action. For every word about God’s enduring love, there is a corresponding action that demonstrates that love. Paul the apostle echoes this theme in 1st Corinthians 13. If we have many spiritual gifts, but lack a love that serves, we have fallen short. If we speak often of love, but fail to love with deeds, our “love” is just meaningless noise. True love demonstrates patience and kindness. It is not self centered -- it is other-centered, always flowing outward. It always forgives, protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres. All these love qualities are fleshed out in actions. They are something God does, and something we should do if we are filled with God’s love. This is what it means to grow up in Christ. God’s love never fails… neither should ours. His love endures forever… so should ours. -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day