1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
Yesterday we spoke about choosing to put on virtues like clothing, to purposely clothe ourselves with things like patience and humility. Though it was not the main verse of the day we said the following it mentioned covering all these virtues with love. Today we see that we are revisiting the subject of love.
John calls his readers dear children, showing his own love in writing to them. He tells them to love not with words or speech but with actions and in truth. It sounds so simple, but in reality is far harder than it should be, especially when it is loving those who hurt us or don’t like us. Then it becomes far more difficult to do. It is easy to love those who love us back. But we are still called to love all.
He specifically tells them to love with more than words or speech. They are to show love by doing it. Saying I love you feels awkward when said to those we are not close to, especially if we don’t like them all that much – then we really don’t like saying it. That’s why we show it with our actions. We look beyond the things they say or do and we see the person – a soul that is loved and wanted by Jesus. They may not know Him yet and your loving actions could change that or plant seeds in them that others will water and cultivate. Whatever happens, leave it in His hands. Do your part and love in words and deeds.
But what about loving in truth? What did John mean by this choice of words? He means we love them honestly and not in deceit. Our actions should show that we are wise and discerning, purposeful in our love. Anyone can grudgingly say I love you or act nice to others, but it is different to love them honestly and truthfully. It takes effort to set aside the differences and to see them as Jesus sees them.
How do you love others? When faced with a decision for how to act towards someone who has done wrong to you, what is your response? Think on that as you move through the rest of your day. Look for opportunities to show love through actions and in truth.
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