Love Others: An Imperative
Reflection
Sentence types is a unit in English that I taught elementary students. To refresh your memory, four sentence types exist: declarative - making a statement, interrogative - posing a question, exclamatory - conveying strong emotion, and imperative - stating a command. An imperative sentence has an implied subject. A declarative sentence might read: The girl stops running. The imperative shifts the statement: Stop running. The message is clear and demanding. “YOU stop running.” While the subject is technically missing from an imperative sentence, the reader or listener understands that the imperative is directed at ‘you’ even though it isn’t stated.
Application
When we read scripture, these imperatives jump off the page because they are directions given for us with the emphasis of a command. For example, in John 13:34, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” The imperative is clear. You love one another. It isn’t a suggestion or an item for someone else. Instead, the reader of John knows that we are commanded to love one another.
This week while reading Romans 12 slowly, this passage entitled “Love in Action” stood out to me.
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil, cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.” Romans 12: 9-13
The first sentence in this passage is declarative, and love is the subject. The remainder of the verses above are all imperative sentences. Paul, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is commanding us to show love in action with clear direction for everyone of us -- for you and for me. The passage continues through verse 18 with more imperatives about loving others.
Closing/conclusion
Too often, it is easy to love the lovable, to show hospitality and patience to those within our circle, and to share with those we esteem. But God’s word provides startling clarity about what He expects from His disciples. He provides an imperative to love others with actions, not simply thoughts of kindness or compassion. As a child, I was taught a chorus: “They will know we are Christians by our love.” This requires action. How might we fulfill this imperative today?
~Maryellen Berry