Friday, February 15, 2019
1 Corinthians 13:3 . . . And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing . . .
CHRIST-LIKE LOVE IS LOVE IN ACTION
In his many-sided discussion of the dimensions of AGAPE (a-gah'-pe) love, the apostle Paul turns to speak of how this divine love shows itself with deeds or fruits of faith.
And who is the supreme example of putting divine love into action? Think of the holy love and compassion our Savior showed poor sinners without expecting anything in return.
St. John refers to our Savior, saying: "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth . . ." (1 John 3:16-18).
Dr. Martin Luther spoke of the Savior's love in these words: "Lo, my God, without any merit on my part, of His pure and free mercy, has given me, an unworthy, condemned and contemptible creature, all the riches of justification and salvation in Christ, so that I am no longer in want of anything, except of faith that this is so . . . I will therefore give myself, as a sort of Christ, to my neighbor, even as Christ has given Himself to me . . ."
Our Lord said: "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35), and again: " . . . Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these, My brethren, you did it to Me."
True love for others is a test of Christian discipleship. The Spirit of God help us be "little Christs" to those who stand in need of our help.
Take my life and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to Thee;
Take my moments and my days, Let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour At Thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be Ever, only, all, for Thee.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 400:1, 6)
