Sermon Snippet – Love Works
INTRODUCTION – Love works. It works in the sense of laboring; it also works in the sense of being effective. The Bible is clear that love is a core characteristic of God: “God is love” (I John 4:8, 16). Let us briefly consider this subject.
1. LOVE LABORS
In John 5:17, Jesus responds to criticism of His healing of a disabled man on the Jewish Sabbath with this simple yet sweeping statement: “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.” The religious leaders correctly understood that Jesus, God the Son, was making an absolute claim of deity, but their murderous anger was certainly incorrect (see verse 18). From Genesis and Creation to Revelation and Armageddon (and far beyond), God has demonstrated His love through His work. His labor does not fatigue Him, as ours does, for He is the Almighty. However, He is ever active, and this activity is beneficial. If we are to develop a deeper love, we must follow our Lord’s example. Galatians 6:9-10 is most helpful: “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not [do not give up]. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” We know that we have limited time and occasions in which to engage in what I Thessalonians 1:3 calls our “labour of love.” Let us, like Jesus, continue to labor as an expression of our love.
2. LOVE IS EFFECTIVE
The greatest example of this truth is found in the hardest work of God – the sacrificial death of Jesus on the Cross for our sins and in our places. “But God commendeth [demonstrates] His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). We had nothing to offer to God. We could not help Him, make Him better, or improve on His work. Unlike us, He does not need to be loved. We need love, and Jesus wants to embrace us and enfold us in His “everlasting arms” of love (Deuteronomy 33:27). Proverbs 10:12 says, “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” This statement is absolutely true of the saving love of Jesus. We can become conduits of this efficacious love into the lives of others: “And above all things have fervent charity [love] among yourselves: for charity [love] shall cover the multitude of sins” (I Peter 4:8). Our love cannot save people from their sins: only the love of Jesus can accomplish salvation. However, in our interactions with each other, we are to love and forgive (without condoning or enabling sin) so that our fellowship is not broken. Our love can be effective in this regard, and it must be if we are to follow our Lord’s example and His kind commandment.
CONCLUSION – John 6:26-29 is a precise reminder that we cannot work for our salvation. Jesus has done all of this work, and it was a labor of love. Each one of us has the opportunity today to enter into the fullness of His eternal love by trusting in Him as Savior. His love works for us.