Do Love Right

We all know our actions have a greater “voice” than our words!  No doubt, words matter and have tremendous power but what we do usually has grander volume than what we say. Jesus said to His followers, “I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another … By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another.” (John 13:34-35).  These are not just ooshy-gooshy words; no! they are instructions on how we are to do-love toward other Believers. In 1 Thessalonians 3:1-13, Paul exposes his heart toward Believer-friends, “And may the Lord cause you to increase and excel and overflow in love for one another, and for all people.” (V.12).  Each night I enjoy a cup of hot tea at bedtime, and I’m pretty notorious for overflowing my tea cup – oops!  Well, that’s exactly how Believers love for one another should increase-excel-overflow – and keep overflowing!  Jesus said this is what unbelievers notice; it’s not our doctrinal distinctions nor dramatic miracles nor even our love for the lost. Jesus said “by this” – by our unselfish love for other Believers!  As Paul said, let us love all people but toward those of the Household of Faith – portray a familial love such that the world takes notice.  Dad used to describe how the world should see the Body of Christ (Believers): “Oh, see how they love one another!”  Let us do love right: increase – excel – overflow with genuine Christ-like Love for one another!