Love Is A Verb

“Someone said it like this: ‘Love is a verb! Without action, it is merely a word.’ Jesus embodied that love from the beginning of His life to the very end, when He died a substitutionary death on the cross to pay the price for the sin of the world. No one ever loved like Jesus loved! ‘No one has greater love than this,’ He said, ‘that someone would lay down his life for his friends’ (John 15:13). Jesus was the friend of sinners! And the nearer we are to Jesus, the closer we’ll get to people—that we might serve them like He did!

Too Heavenly Minded

There’s an old saying: ‘Some people are so heavenly minded that they’re of no earthly good.’ We will serve the people of planet earth like Jesus served when we love like Jesus loved! Genuine love is way more than words like, ‘I love you, brother!’ It’s about action. It’s about deeds and service! ‘Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action’ (1 John 3:18). You can tell people you love them, but it’s more effective when you show them! In the famous passage of Scripture where Jesus washes His disciples’ feet, the chapter begins with these words: ‘Now by the time of supper, the Devil had already put it into the heart of Judas, Simon Iscariot’s son, to betray Him. Jesus knew that the Father had given everything into His hands, that He had come from God, and that He was going back to God’ (John 13:2–3). Jesus knew what His purpose was for coming to this earth He had created. He also knew where He was going—back to God. So He knew His destiny. He could live His entire life preoccupied with loving and serving mankind!

Pre-Occupied With Love & Service

If we know Jesus as Savior, we also know our destiny. We are destined to live forever with Him! ‘I go to prepare a place for you,’ Jesus told those who followed Him, ‘that where I am you will be also’ (John 14:2–3). It would seem from Scripture that He is doing that right now! From the time He ascended back to the Father, He has been preparing a place for us to live with Him. If we truly believe that is our destiny, it will change our lives! We can serve others with the secure knowledge that Jesus has taken care of our future. That’s why Paul challenged the church in Rome to ‘present your bodies as a living sacrifice… it is your reasonable service’ (Romans 12:1). We will serve like Jesus served when we embrace our destiny!

It’s Only Reasonable To Serve

It only makes sense to serve, Paul says. It is reasonable to give your life away in sacrificial ministry. Jesus served with reckless, radical abandon because He knew His destiny! We can serve in the same radical way. We know that Jesus will take care of us today, and He will take care of our future! ‘Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Make money-bags for yourselves that won’t grow old, an inexhaustible treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also’ (Luke 12:32–34). Don’t live life in anxiety! Love! Serve! Minister to others! Your future is secure in Christ!