Our signboard said…
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LOVE IN DEED IS LOVE INDEED |
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Deed? Indeed!
This message (as so many others) relies on a play on words. Maybe a silly play on words. If you just read this message aloud you wouldn’t catch the word play. It would simply sound redundant. But when written out, it gives a deeper meaning that can serve as a reminder.
Indeed. At least in the US, it’s not a word we normally use in common conversation. Websters defines it as: “Without a doubt; certainly. In reality; in fact.”
Then there is the other word in this play on words: Deed. Websters defines Deed as: “Something performed; an act. An exploit or feat. Performance or action in general.”
Love in Deed
We often think of love as a noun. It’s something you have; something that characterizes your emotional state (“In love”).
In the Bible, 1 Corinthians chapter 13 is familiar to most people. It’s commonly known as the “Love Chapter.” In this chapter, Paul describes love as if it were a person (“anthropomorphism” or whatever that big word is…). Here are some descriptions of love which are probably familiar to anyone who has attended a Christian wedding ceremony:
All of these characterizations are ways that we can react to life’s situations. If you’re waiting in a long checkout line and the person behind you has a child who keeps screaming and ramming a cart into the back of your legs, how would you respond? Paul says here that if you respond in love, you would be patient. If you did say anything you would speak kindly; you will not fume and become rude. And you wouldn’t even think “MY kid would never do that… I’m a better parent than you!”
Being able to respond in love isn’t necessarily something that comes naturally. It’s a gift from the Holy Spirit.
Most of the above is given from the negative point; things you do if you are not acting in love. But Paul ends this passage with one bold statement about what love does do:
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love Indeed!
Love that is “certain” and “real” isn’t just something that you have, and it’s not just something that you feel. It’s something that you continually strive for. It’s action that’s motivated by a priority on God and on others.
- Always Protects:
If you love someone (or something) you always take action that shields that person from harm (even if it causes you harm or inconvenience). - Always Trusts:
If you act in love, you don’t need to understand everything. You don’t need to have full control. - Always Hopes:
If you act in love you’ll never want to claim an “I told you so” attitude. - Always Perseveres:
If you act in love you won’t be satisfied to say “well I tried it your way,” and then return to trying to please yourself.
Love Indeed is a dependence on God and a self-sacrificial attitude that keeps trying to put God and others first. Love Indeed is an action that keeps drawing from your own store of resources to protect, to form trust, and to share hopes. John wrote that God IS love (1 John 4:7-16). The very essence of Love is found in God’s character. Love Indeed is action that springs from our desire to know God and to grow closer to Him.
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