“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:8-10

Those were the last words of George Harrison, the former Beatle, before he died.”Love one another.” Which is interesting… because Jesus said them first. I hadn’t known George to be known for his Christian faith! But he must have discovered what love was, its importance, and passed on the inspiration.

I’ve been grumpy. VERY grumpy… tired and worn out. And I know why. OK… this is going to sound selfish… but it’s true. I’m grumpy because… I ain’t getting no love! There… I said it! It’s how I FEEL! That’s that! I’m this way because of my own description that ‘Love is not a feeling… it’s an action. A verb… not a noun!’

Lately I’ve been spending a lot of time on the love train. Added to an abnormally high volume of pastoral calls and requests, I’ve been working hard at the Church House. Which is not a problem. My problem comes when, after loving labor and Godly counsel are given… I look around and see that I am standing there… alone!

Love is not a feeling.. It’s an ACTION. And IF I am being loved… I should be able to SEE it. In the Pastoral business… which represents Jesus’ interests… I should be able to SEE the results of love by seeing OTHER people DOING ‘love’ for Christ. I’m simply not seeing it. MY problem and fault is that I take it personally. I’m sorry.

The most expensive and difficult adjective in the world is ‘Christian.’ Why? Because it costs EVERYTHING the Christian owns 2 B 1! There is NOTHING that should come before Christ… EVER! “I was busy,’ ‘I had to work,’ ‘I had other things to do,’ are some of the words I’ve heard far too often lately. My JOB is to say so.

Remember when Jesus said, ‘let the dead bury the dead (luke 9:60)?’ Or ‘any follower of mine must HATE himself AND his family” (Luke 14:26)? There are many more examples. I say these words because it is my ‘duty’ to say them. It’s the reason I never WANTED to have this job. But God insisted. And He insists NOW!

You say you love Jesus Christ… how are you SHOWING it? What are you DOING to PROVE that you do? Who is noticing? Is God pleased with your sacrifice? Ask Him? I don’t say these words to GET ANYTHING. I say them so that YOU will. So… where are you going to start showing your love for God in the service of others and Him?

Here is the Advent Devotional from Dallas Theological Seminary for 2024.  I pray you enjoy https://lps.dts.edu/2024christmasdevotional