Do you love me? How would I know? Actions speak louder than words. What is inside comes to the outside. If it does not come out, it is not within. If there is no fruit, there is no root. Do you love the people that make up your church? Do you want to get to know them better, and do you care about them? Do you have holy love? Long ago, Augustine pointed out that the desire of every human heart is to experience a love that is transcendent. Regrettably for us today, however, there is no word in the English language that's been more stripped of the depth of its meaning than the word love. We tend to view the love of God in the same way popular music, art, and literature views love. However, holy love comes from God Himself. This love is not natural to fallen humanity. It originates in God and is a divine gift to His people. When we are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit, we are given a capacity for this supernatural love that has God as its source and foundation. The love of God is in a class by itself. It transcends our experience. Nevertheless, it is a love that He shares in part with us and expects us to manifest to each other. Holy love is genuine. It is loyal. It honors others. Holy love blesses those who persecute it. Holy love empathizes with others. Love in the Church and love in the world go together. They are the demands of commitment. We are totally devoted to God. If our minds have been renewed and our lives have been transformed, our hearts should be full of holy love. Holy love results in action. The Holy Spirit does this in us and through us if we are really His!
