Love is More Than Just Words

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“But a Samaritan, as he was traveling along, came across the man. When the Samaritan saw him, he felt sorry for the man, went to him, and cleaned and bandaged his wounds. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him.” – Luke 10:33-34 (NLT)

After picking up my daughter from school, she leaned out of the window, looked at her friend, and enthusiastically yelled, “I love you.”

Quizzically, I looked at her and asked, “Didn’t you just meet that girl?”

I knew better than to press the issue, but it made me think about what true love means and how easily we toss around words like “I love you.”

There are various types of love, including eros, or romantic love; philia, or deep platonic friendships; and agape, or unconditional love that God shows us.

No matter the type of love, it is not usually instantaneous (except for Christ’s love for us), which is why I question rushed declarations of love.

God’s love for us is unconditional and accepting, but for us, true, deep love takes time to develop.

But is there a way to love others and show it despite what we see on the outside or our programmed bias and self-focus?

In the story of the good Samaritan, love is shown through actions more than words. A stranger shows sacrificial, tender love without judgment.

This kind of love in action, without expectation, is possible through Holy Spirit-led agape love.

The Greek term, agape, means a selfless, unconditional, and compassionate love. This type of love emphasizes caring for others without expecting anything in return.

Agape love is a choice, an action-oriented love that seeks the good of other people.

Jesus lived a life of agape love and continues to offer His love to us. His example is what we can cling to when loving someone seems impossible.

In the book of John, Jesus shares quotes about love.

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love.” (John 15:9, NLT)

“This is my command: Love each other.” (John 15:17, NLT)

We can learn to love one another with more than empty words by taking action, just as the good Samaritan did.

Jesus expressed His love in many ways, even washing His disciples' feet, including Judas, who would betray Him.

After He finished washing the disciples' feet, Jesus declared,

“I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you.” (John 13:15, NLT)

The good Samaritan's kind act and Jesus's teachings challenge us to look out for people who need love.

It's not easy to move past ourselves and see what people truly need, not just what they offer us.

Emotional platitudes without action lead to a love depression that cannot withstand the test of struggles. Basing our love on feelings and words rather than actions makes it fleeting and at times painful.

Later, after my daughter and I got home, I waited for a good time to bring up the issue of love bombing.

She was defensive and said, “Oh, Mom, that’s just what friends say to each other. It doesn’t mean anything.” I challenged her, as I do myself, that love should always mean something and be more than empty words.

Love, when genuine and expressed in action, is one of the greatest feelings in the world.

I hope that we don’t diminish the power of love but elevate it to the standard set forth by Jesus and demonstrated by the good Samaritan.