Daily Devotional for Sunday, October 25
We Must Love in Deed and Truth
1 John 3:16-18
“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth,” 1 John 3:17, 18.
Actions speak louder than words is a well-known phrase, and no doubt you have been the recipient of it. This phrase simply means someone does not follow through with what he says, or his actions show differently than what he has said. Some people just like to talk, but they do not like to take action. Even the proverbs speak against this. “In all labour there is profit: but the talk of the lips tendeth only to penury” (Proverbs 14:23). Meaning nothing gets done if you just talk and not do the work.
God has certainly shown by His actions that He loves you. You know He does because He laid down His life for you. There is no greater action that will show love better than when a person dies for another person. Love is an action word. If you only love with words and you do not show love with your actions, then it is not love. True love motivates you to action. If you know someone in need, especially a brother or sister in Christ and refuse to help, yet claim you love God, makes you a hypocrite. That is a strong word, but it is true.
There are so many things you can do to show love, and you will do them if God’s love reigns in your heart. First John 2:6 is a reminder that if you abide in Christ, love and obey Him; then you will walk the way Jesus walked. You will live the way Jesus lived. You will love.
Something to Think About
Love is not forced. Love takes actions without excuses. Do you love like Jesus? Do you have God’s love reigning in you?
Karry Irizarry