LOVE IN ACTION; 1 Cor 13:4-7 teaches us that love is a verb… an action…. it is as simple as meeting a need- 1 John 3:16-19. Biblical agape love- is a choice. A choice to deny yourself to prefer someone else for their highest good, for God’s honor. It is a choice to lay down your life, preferences, and serve them, it is Jesus who took a towel and basin and stooped to wipe the dirty feet of he disciples. It is to CHOOSE o be a servant for Jesus sake of others- 2 Cor 4:5. It is to seek the other persons highest good, their benefit, expecting, or demanding nothing in return, only that they be loved and God be honored.- anything else is selfish. To seek to do something for someone in order that you might benefit from them is not  Biblical agape love- that is manipulation, selfishness. Love seeks the welfare of others, the glory of God in doing so. Paul wrote,”…ourselves your servants for Jesus sake.”2 Cor 4:5.

LOVE’S MOTIVATION TO SERVE;

It is for Jesus sake we must choose to serve others, “…ourselves your servants for Jesus sake”- 2 Cor 4:4 .

Peter said he was willing to die for the Lord, but when the pressure came he was not willing to stand with Him,. Yet, LOVE AROSE FROM THE GRAVE, THE LORD JESUS and sought Peter out. He did not ask Him about His denials but three times asked, “Do you Love Me?'” For at the heart of every issue is Love. Love for self or love for the Savior.

A Husband once told his wife, “Honey I would die for you!” Her response, “but, you wont take out the trash for me!”  It is easy to say we would “die” for someone, but it is another to CHOOSE to lay down our lives and serve them practically, like taking out the trash, cleaning up after you make a mess, and not leaving it for someone else{By the way, husbands the letter “w” in wife- does not stand for waitress!}.

  • Love is purposeful.
  • Love is practical.
  • Love is sacrificial.
  • Love is permanent “….love never fails.”- 1 Cor 13. The word “fails” was used to speak of a leaf that falling from a tree decays. Love does not decay. Love believes the best, love hopes the best, and even when belief is betrayed or hope is shattered, love keeps on loving, believing God, Hoping in God, for love never fails! Love is focused ultimately on the character of God.

The Lord restored Peter and gave Him responsibility. Love sought Peter out, and His SAME LOVE SEEKS YOU AND ME OUT, when we fail! “Amazing love, how can it be that Thou my God should die for me!” His love melts the heart as we see our own sinfulness but greater yet we see Him!

In serving others, our motivation, is to be the love of God for sinners, the love of God for you, for me, “By this ALL men will KNOW You are My disciples by your love for one another”- John 13:34-35.

The words of the old hymn come to mind, which speaks of His love motivating us to love…”Loved with everlasting love, led by grace that love to know…..”,

MOTIVATION TO TRUST, WITNESS and SERVE;
“The life I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”- Galatians 2:20 –

The MOTIVATION for Paul to trust Jesus Christ was the LOVE of Jesus Christ.

In 2 Cor 5 the MOTIVATION for  Testifying, WITNESSING was the LOVE OF CHRIST, Paul wrote,”… the LOVE OF CHRIST COMPELS US….” “By this ALL MEN will know YOU are My Disciples, by YOUR LOVE for one another.”- John 13:34-35

 THE LOVE  OF CHRIST MOTIVATES;

MAY IT MOTIVATE YOU TOO, TO TRUST, WITNESS, AND SERVE OTHERS AND TO REST YOUR MIND IN THE DEEP, DEEP LOVE OF GOD FOR…..YOU!

**”We Love BECAUSE He first loved us….”