We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father. (1 Thessalonians 1:2-3)

The commendations of a mature faith include a labor of love. We think of labor as work or some kind of activity, but the Greek word widens the definition to include a cost paid, pains taken, and strength spent in the work. The word often carries with it something that is resistant or difficult. So, this labor of love isn’t some casual, lightweight task you fit into your life when it’s convenient. It doesn’t require minimal commitment. It’s not an easy out. It’s not a quick-fix. It’s strenuous and costly. And it’s a labor that is poured out for the sake of someone else.

God’s love is unmerited. It has nothing to do with the one who is receiving the love. It comes from the heart of the person sharing the love, not the lovability of the one being loved. It’s not a sentimental feeling; it’s an intentional, active response. God’s love is a mindset and a choice. It is powerful. Love holds fast in the face of resistance. And it gives. It’s sacrificial.

So, let’s connect labor and love. When the Bible speaks of a labor of love, it’s referring to a love that moves us to do hard things and motivates us to get our hands dirty for the sake of someone else. Perhaps it’s best to learn from an example.

Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself.

Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. So He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, “Lord, do You wash my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.” Peter said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.” Jesus said to him, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, “Not all of you are clean.”

So when He had washed their feet, and taken His garments and reclined at the table again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? You call Me Teacher and Lord; and you are right, for so I am. If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you also should do as I did to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a slave is not greater than his master, nor is one who is sent greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, you are blessed if you do them. (John 13:1-17)

Accept.

Dear God, I thank You for Jesus, for the big things that He did and for the seemingly small things that He did. I know that nothing He did or does is insignificant. I’m sorry I don’t always give everything the full weight it deserves. I’m sorry I don’t give You the full credit and honor You deserve. I am learning. I love You. And I want to grow in Your love.

Seek.

How is God challenging you to grow in your concept and application of a labor of love?

What do you learn from Jesus’ labor of love, either in the Scripture given or another Scripture.

How will you serve God through labors of love today?

Know.

But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way. For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. (Hebrews 6:9-12)