Devotion #1: Love Is Also a Verb
The word “love” is one of the most useless words in the English language. I love pizza. I also love my husband. The word “love” is often used loosely. We say we love food, hobbies, and entertainment, but the love the Bible speaks of is much deeper. In Matthew 22:36-39, Jesus tells us that the greatest commandments are to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This love is not about feelings; it is about action.
Our relationship with Christ is built on the greatest act of love. Jesus laid down His life for our sins. His love is not about comfort or convenience but about sacrifice. He loved us while we were still sinners (Romans 5:8), undeserving of His grace, yet He chose to give Himself up for us. This is the kind of love we are called to show.
Romans 12:9 says, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.” To abhor something means to regard it with disgust and hatred. As followers of Christ, we are called to hate sin, injustice, and anything that opposes God’s righteousness. This is not a passive dislike but an active rejection of evil. At the same time, we are to cling to what is good. We are to embrace truth, kindness, integrity, and godliness in every aspect of our lives. Practically, this means filling our minds with God’s Word, surrounding ourselves with godly influences, and actively choosing to act in ways that reflect Christ’s love and righteousness.
Genuine love often means we are giving up something and expecting nothing in return. It calls us to serve without seeking recognition, to forgive even when it is hard, and to give selflessly. It is easy to love those who are kind and lovable, but true love extends even to those who are difficult, broken, or undeserving. It is a choice to reflect Christ’s love in the way we interact with others daily. Jesus did not love us because we were worthy. He loved us in our unworthiness and made us whole through His sacrifice.
This kind of love is not always easy, but it is what we are called to as followers of Christ. It is an outpouring of His presence in us, a reflection of His grace and mercy. Genuine love is the mark of a transformed life. May we strive to live with a heart that says, “Less of me, more of Him.”