Love in Action

And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Colossians 3:14

Love is like the thread that weaves everything together in our lives. When Paul tells us to "put on love," he's reminding us that love is something we choose to do every day. It’s not just a feeling; it’s about making a real effort to be compassionate, kind, and understanding with each other. In our hectic lives, it’s easy to let love slide into the background. We can get so caught up in our daily routines and challenges that we forget to actively choose patience and kindness. But even the smallest acts of love can really change our relationships for the better.

Love is the heart of our faith and what connects us with others. It’s more than just a feeling; it’s a choice we make and a commitment we uphold. In a world that often focuses on "me first," love pushes us to think of others. It calls us to serve, forgive, and lift each other up, showing the same kind of unconditional love that God has for us. 

When we choose to embrace love, we create a space where harmony can grow. It helps us look past each other’s faults, practice forgiveness, and work towards mending relationships. Love encourages us to step outside our comfort zones, be open, be vulnerable, and reach out to those who might seem different or distant.

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.

1 Corinthians 13:13

In this well-known passage, Paul highlights the enduring qualities that sustain us through life’s challenges: faith, hope, and love. While all three are essential, he emphasizes that love holds the highest place. 

So, why is love the greatest? 

It’s because love is at the heart of who God is and it’s what our relationships are built on. Love can really change things. It’s transformative. It has the power to heal wounds, bridge divides, and foster understanding. When we act from a place of love, it shows a purpose that goes beyond what we can do on our own. Love prompts us to reach out to those who are hurting, to offer grace to those who falter, and to build each other up in community.

Consider the implications of prioritizing love in your life. In a world often driven by competition and division, choosing love means embracing humility and empathy. It means being patient when frustrations arise and forgiving even when it’s difficult. Love invites us to step outside of ourselves and recognize the value in every single person we meet. It challenges us to put others first and see their worth, no matter what.

Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it can be easy to drift into a routine where love becomes an expectation rather than an action. Paul’s description of love challenges us to dig deeper and consider what it truly means to love others.

As we reflect on 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, we see a beautiful and challenging picture of what love truly is. Love calls us to be patient and kind, reminding us that our relationships thrive when we choose understanding over frustration. It teaches us to celebrate others rather than envy their successes, and to lift each other up without boasting or arrogance. In a world that often pushes us toward self-interest, love encourages humility and respect. It invites us to let go of irritability and resentment, making room for forgiveness. Love rejoices in the truth and remains steadfast, bearing all things and holding onto hope even through tough times. 

Let’s take these qualities to heart and strive to embody them in our daily lives. When we choose to love like this, we not only reflect the heart of God but also create a space where our relationships can flourish. May we commit to living out this kind of love, making it the foundation of our interactions and the guiding force in our lives. Remember, love is not just a feeling; it’s an action that grows deeper with intentionality.