“I love you”… See! That proves it.
Saying “I love you” does not prove that I love you.
Teaching a lesson on 1 Corinthians 13 – the “Love” chapter – does not indicate that I love you.
Writing a book about God’s love does not show that I love you.
Changing my Facebook status to “I love you” does not mean that I love you.
Preaching a sermon about love does not prove that I love you.
Singing a song about love does not indicate that I love you.
Tweeting “I love you” does not show that I love you.
Drawing “I heart U” on your arm does not demonstrate that I love you.
Writing a blog post titled “I love you,” does not mean that I actually love you.
Words are cheap. We can write, say, sing, preach, and teach love all day long. But, words are not a replacement for love. Love must be demonstrated. It is costly, sacrificial, and giving. It is not talking about being costly, sacrificial, and giving, but actually being costly, sacrificial, and giving.
There is a HUGE difference between talking about love and actually loving.
Jesus commanded, “Love one another.” He did not command, “Talk about love with one another.”
This blog post is about love. But, it is not love.
6 Comments
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- Comment Highlights for week of January 23, 2011 | The Assembling of the Church - [...] from “A Pilgrim’s Progress” asks a good question in his comment on my post “‘I love you’… See! That…
Alan, we know there is a direct connection between love and servanthood. There is also a connection between servanthood and leadership. So, do you see a connection between love and leadership?
Eric,
Yes, I think there is a direct connection between love and service. We should follow the example of those who demonstrate their love for God and others by serving others. Thus, they would be our leaders.
-Alan
Alan,
“There is a HUGE difference between talking about love and actually loving.”
Oh, yes! I often told congregations, “We must be SEEN TO BE what we SAY we are!”
Responses were , “I show my love by attending services, or, with my offering, or praying for people, etc.”
One evidence to observe in potential elders is genuine love clearly demonstrated by their service to their brethren.
Alan,
I see you are submitting something for “The Practice of Love” over at Civitas Press. I hope you have submitted something along the lines of this post. I “loved” it.
Aussie John,
Yes, we can redefine “love” to mean many different things. Of course, Scripture doesn’t allow us that luxury, if we are honest with what we read.
Jeremy,
Not exactly. For The Practice of Love, Jonathan wanted stories. So, my submission is along those lines.
-Alan
true. yes.
and yet, there IS a lot of power in words 🙂