Fleeting or Forward
On Sunday, Jen mentioned a Greek word—ektenos. It describes a deep, action‑oriented, sacrificial love that is a commitment, not a feeling. This love is meant to be “fervent” and “constant.”
1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified yourselves by your obedience to the truth, so that you show sincere brotherly love for each other, from a pure heart love one another constantly…
In a world where love is treated like a fleeting emotion, how do we practice love as a disciplined commitment? This kind of love flows out of a heart purified by obedience to the truth.
To me, this is living by principle rather than emotion. Commitment is hard. It’s the kind of love that stays when everything and everyone else would fade out or walk away. This ektenos love is the kind movies are built on—men and women who sacrifice for their kids, husbands and wives who would die for their spouse.
Think of Schindler’s List, the true story of Oskar Schindler, who saved over a thousand Polish Jews by employing them in his factories at great personal cost. Or Desmond Doss in Hacksaw Ridge, who served without a weapon in the brutal Battle of Okinawa and repeatedly risked his life to save fellow soldiers.
That is ektenos love.
Recently, I was in a group with a few seasoned believers and a bunch of “I’m not sure I believe” or “I’m new to this” people. At one point, the leader said that if he had to choose between losing his life or job and disobeying God, he would choose to lose his life or job. The room went silent. Someone finally said, “Wow, that’s kinda hardcore, don’t you think?” And he replied, “Jesus was hardcore. He died for my sin. What’s this world to me?”
That is living by principle rather than emotion.
Jesus brought us ektenos love—fervent, action‑oriented love.
It’s easy to love, give, help, and serve when our emotions are high and we feel like it. It’s much harder—and much deeper—when we do it even when we don’t feel like it. Living by principle means choosing beforehand how you will act and react, regardless of how you feel in the moment.
Years ago, I was challenged to write a personal motto. Mine said:
Fearless, Faithful, Forward
To live my life as an example of one who overcomes.
Sharing my story with others to encourage them
to live fearlessly in the face of every struggle,
that I might be faithful in all He asks,
moving forward through trusting in His love.
I live by this.
God has not given me a spirit of fear but of power, love, and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
Obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22).
Forward regardless, for His love is better than life (Psalm 63:3).
What are you living by—biblical principles or feelings?
Anything big, even movie-worthy, starts small in the day-to-day choices.
Thanks for reading.