The Most Practical Way
Actions and Truth – Part 1

Scripture Reading:  1 John 3:16-20

Key Verse: 1 John 3:18

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

If you can take time to read the suggested scriptures for today you will start at verse 16 which declares: “This is how we know what love is.”  In my opinion, here lies the problem in our society: What is true love?  Our romantic movies have convinced many that true love is all about feelings.  We speak of falling in love—“head over heels.”  I hear people say (and believe) they fell in love the moment they laid eyes on their spouse.  I appreciate that sentiment, but that is not possible when we understand what true love is really all about.

True love comes from a small seed and grows into full bloom.  People would laugh at us if we tried to convince them that we bought a package of seeds for our garden, opened it up and enjoyed vegetables on the spot.  They would know that is not possible.  Love grows from learning another person, understanding how they think and do life.  True love grows from liking what we see and experience from another person over a period of time.  Love, when it’s real, grows out of the actions we watch and experience from another person.

In our scripture, John said this is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.  It was Jesus’ actions that demonstrated true love for us and it is our actions that demonstrate our love for Him (1 John 3:6 & 10).

Father, open my eyes to the truth of what love really is all about.  Help me to love you and others with actions!  In Jesus’ name, amen.