Marriage begins with a promise to love, honor, and cherish. But such promises are empty words unless the couple acts on them.

Love is a verb. It requires action. While the words of 1 John 3:18 are addressed to the church, they also apply to the husband-wife relationship. “Little children, let us not love in words or talk, but in deed and in truth.”

Loving our spouse requires that we act on behalf of our spouse. We choose to do things with — and for — them.

Whether we take on additional household chores, give up a favorite activity to spend time with them, or sit quietly and listen when they are hurting, our love is always in motion. Love “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”

READ ALSO:

How to help your kids get closer to God despite the trying times

Love takes it’s cues from the Source of Love and draws strength from Him when our feelings toward our spouse falter or grow dim.

Love is a verb … and much more

It’s true that love requires action. But it’s also much more. Love offers purpose. 1 Corinthians 16:14 says to “let all that you do be done in love.”

Love is the reason we commit to our spouse. Care for them. Protect them. Shelter them in life’s storms.

Love is from God. When we lose ourselves in His love, we can freely love our spouse in word and deed. As Bible teacher John Piper explains: “Love is the overflow of joy in God that gladly meets the needs of others.