September 17, 2023 - INSCRIPTIONS FROM THE HEART

By Abby Cheng

IFH: September 17, 2023

Have you ever heard of the five love languages? Long-time marriage counselor Gary Chapman created the concept to describe the five main ways people like to give and receive love. One of them is words of affirmation, which means you affection, praise, and thrive on spoken encouragement. Another is acts of service which is pretty self-explanatory. The other three are quality time, receiving gifts, and physical touch.

In my opinion, the love language that is non-negotiable in true love is acts of service. I can keep saying the words "I love you" to my husband over and over but if I never do anything to show it, then those words just end up being meaningless. The Bible says the same thing about our love for Jesus: "If you love me, you will keep (obey) my commandments." (John 14:15)

After his resurrection, Jesus spends time with his disciples and asks Peter three times, "Do you love me?" He tells Peter exactly how he is to show that he loves Him, and that is by taking care of and feeding His sheep. Jesus told Peter (and all future believers) what His love language is and how we are to show whether we truly love Him or not. I pray that we all do our part in taking care of God's sheep as He has called all those who love Him to do.