Articles
POWER WORDS
I hope you are enjoying our study of “love” on Sunday evenings. I find that as I prepare for
the lessons from week to week that there is always some particular word or thought that sparks
another study, leading to another and then another. Such are the many Bible verses dealing with
“love.” Not just verses that have the word “love” in them, but verses that show how love truly
impacts our lives as Christians for one another—bringing peace, comfort, encouragement, etc.
One thought sparked by the study this past week is the use of “power words” by the Holy
Spirit. I use that term, because I’m not sure I have a better way to say it! Power words such as
devoted, pursue, increase, abound, fervent, etc. Those “power words” (and others) are not
“average” words. They should change the way we look at our daily lives and how we develop
our love for one another. It is easy enough to say “I love you,” but far more difficult to show that
love in action. It may be that we are just “going through the motions.” In other words, doing as
little as necessary to show our love, yet far from being totally committed to growing in love.
There is a difference.
When we add those “power words,” we begin to realize that our pursuit of love for others
(Rom. 14:19) should consume us. To pursue is not to wait for love to materialize or wait until the
right opportunity comes along. When we pursue, we are actually going out of our way to show
our love to others.
Are we content to be what we are, or are we striving (another power word!) to increase and
abound in our love for one another (1 Thess. 3:12)? Actually, in that verse, we could say that the
apostle Paul used double power words to describe what our love for one another should be. It is
so easy to become complacent in our relationships with the Lord’s family.
As we go through this next week, let us strive to “be devoted to one another in brotherly
love” (Rom. 12:10)! ~P. Mowrer
