Love is not just a feeling, it’s an action. This is especially true when it comes to God’s love. God’s love is not just something we talk about or feel in our hearts, it’s something we are called to put into action. As the Apostle John wrote, “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18). In this post, we’ll explore the idea that God’s love is for action, and specifically, that we are called to take bold action to change the world and make it a better place.
God’s love is transformative
God’s love is transformative. It has the power to change lives, heal brokenness, and bring about justice and peace. But this transformation doesn’t happen by accident. It requires action.
But love is not just a passive feeling or emotion, it’s an active force that motivates us to act. When we love someone, we want to do something to help them. The same is true of God’s love. When we experience God’s love, we are compelled to take action, to make a difference in the world and to help those who are hurting.
Taking bold action to change the world
So, what does it look like to take bold action to change the world? Here are a few ideas:
- Fight for justice: God’s love demands that we fight for justice. This means speaking out against injustice, standing up for the marginalized and oppressed, and working to create a more just and equitable world. As the Prophet Micah wrote, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).
- Serve the poor: Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). Serving the poor is an essential part of living out God’s love in action. This can take many forms, from volunteering at a homeless shelter to donating to a charity that works with the poor.
- Care for creation: God created the world and called it good. As stewards of creation, we are called to care for it. This means being mindful of our impact on the environment, working to reduce waste and pollution, and advocating for policies that protect the planet. As the Psalmist wrote, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1).
- Love your neighbor: Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). This commandment is at the heart of living out God’s love in action. Loving our neighbor means putting their needs before our own, showing kindness and compassion, and seeking to build them up. This can take many forms, from helping a neighbor with a task to volunteering in your local community.
Conclusion
God’s love is for action. It’s not just something we talk about, it’s something we are called to live out in our daily lives. When we experience God’s love, we are compelled to take bold action to change the world and make it a better place.
So, let’s be people of action. Let’s be bold in our love for God and for others, and let’s use that love to transform the world around us. As the Apostle Paul wrote, “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity” (Colossians 3:14). May we be united in love, and may our love be a force for good in the world.