"Only action becomes love" is scribbled on a page in my journal. I’m not a hundred percent sure who said it but it sounds like something Bob Goff would of said. (I mean he did write a book called Love Does, it’ll probably be in there somewhere.) And it’s a beautiful statement, but apart from its prophetic call to action, isn’t it just another idea amongst all the others, another idea about what love is. Is it because we as humans have used love to cover such a wide variety of things, from sex to sunny days to new haircuts and tacos, that we don’t know what it means anymore?
love is such a miss used word from tocos to wedlock and parenting. The Greek had three words Agape is meant here I believe. As Christ loves us we should show the same Grace to each other. Paul wrote of the fruits of the Spirit. I think the author had Paul’s admonish at heart.Love Joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control.
The word “love” has ceased to have specific meaning itself. To get past this issue we now have to add an adjective to describe the type of love so that it has specific meaning. Context can also help. “I love donuts” and “I love my wife” infer a different type of love. Although in the case of Homer Simpson they may infact be the same.
When we see this text we most often think that we might have to die for another but the idea of “giving up your life” encompasses so much more than death. A spouse may “give up their life” (career) for their partner. A parent may “give up their life” so that their children will have a better education.
At a more fundamental level it may involve giving up some cherished aspect of our lives that is an impediment to a brother or sister. Or giving up a cherished part of our life for our BFF because it separates us from Him.
There are many ways to “give up” one’s life.
One’s time.
One’s money that took time to earn.
One’s resources that money and time took too acquire.
One’s knowledge and learned abilities.
These do NOT require the death of one.
However it does not rule out some type of injury.