Love, the Verb

“I know your works, your toil and patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary. But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come and remove your lampstand from its place… Yet this you have: you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. He who has an ear, let him hear.” Revelation 2:2-7

“Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.” Romans 12:9-10

“Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18

The church at Ephesus had a good attitude, and keen discernment between good and evil. They were patient, persevering steadfastly for Christ’s sake. They detested evil. Yet, their love had settled into a noun, a muted emotion, and had lost its vital display of practical, meaningful action. They’d abandoned its works, rendering themselves devoid of visible proof of any flicker of inward devotion.

How easily we misappropriate zeal and affection! In the bustle and busy of life we can mentally check off profession of love to God and man as a badge or duty, yet leave no time or heart room for proving deeds. Tangled in achievement and personal preferences, love becomes a meaningless byword. We fall from tending the lamp of sacrifice and implementing characteristics of Christ’s love to consumption in selfish pursuit, and God is not pleased.

He invites us to return. He calls us to remember our first love and fan back into flame that divine romance. He urges repentance, and renewed commitment to specific action that evidences our benevolent, grace-bought union. How promptly do we heed His call?

What does an honest assessment of our schedule, how we spend hours and resources and words, reveal about priorities of our loves? What do daily interactions with others and how we go about practical responsibilities tell of our affection for Christ and conformity to His character? (Romans 12:13; 1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

Whom do we profess to love, but leave those words unadorned by action? How willing are we to lay down our lives, dreams, petty wants, relished privacy, for the benefit and blessing of another? What specific deed that we do for others expresses genuine love? Can another say, having encountered us, I feel loved by Jesus? (John 15:13)

“Spirit of God, who dwells within my heart, 
wean it from sin, through all its pulses move. 
Cleanse my desires, my heart and strength and mind, 
and make me love you as I ought to love. 

Teach me to love you as your angels love, 
one holy passion filling all my frame: 
the fullness of the heaven-descended Dove; 
my heart an altar, and your love the flame.” ~George Croly (1854)

Lord, teach me practical, bountiful ways to express your Christlike love to all I encounter, for Your pleasure and glory.