Love actually … actually love
by Sal Huckel
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‘Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth’ (1 John 3:18).
What an amazing call to love one another, and to put hands and feet on the love we profess with our mouths! Well-intentioned words of encouragement can come easily sometimes, can’t they? Have you expressed a need to a brother or sister in Christ but received words that hurt or miss the mark because words don’t help the problem at that moment? Or perhaps words come easily to you, but you feel that making a meal or giving a gift is someone else’s ministry?
The instructions to us in this letter are clear. If we have material possessions (or practical capacity) and see or hear another person in need but fail to act, we are not showing the love of God. The letter says to love actually, not with words but with action and truth. Why truth? Well, perhaps if we search our hearts, sometimes we know deep down that we are withholding the Christ-like sacrificial love that lays down ‘self’ for friends.
First, we hear how practical actual love is – doing and giving. Then we are further reminded that love is a commandment. Meditate on verse 21. In this week of forgiveness, grace and mercy challenges, where our spiritual muscles are getting a full work out, our hearts will condemn us if we are not matching up. We know when we are holding back. It is not the time for that. Go out and show your love to those you know you are holding back from. Mentor those younger than you in the faith, and remember yesterday’s scripture – about living up to the standards we are trying to teach and show others.
Lord, help me to love with actions and in truth. May we be people who do what we say we are. Search our hearts and inspire us to truthful love, through the power of your Holy Spirit, we pray. Amen.
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