The Most Practical Way
Actions and Truth – Part 2

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.

It is interesting that the Apostle John tells us to love in “action and in truth.”  That means there is a false way to love.  In my opinion, the false way to love is to say we love and yet have no “fruit” that would and could be seen by others.  I can say I love God, but if my lifestyle has no evidence of that, it is a “false” love.  I can say I love another person, but again, is there anything observable in my life to show evidence of that love?

Here is the tricky deal with this discussion: We must never try to produce “fruit” (good deeds) in our lives to earn God’s love or other people’s love.  Our good deeds will flow out of our love—if it’s real—but they can’t earn it.  The Apostle John walks that thin line of pointing to what true love is, yet not indicating that good deeds earn it.  1 John 3:17 paints the picture of a practical love that is “action and in truth”:  “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”

Your family, neighbors and co-workers will experience your love if it is real love.  False love is simply words with no action.  Today let your love show by actions that the people around can feel and experience.  It is these that Jesus refers to in Matthew 5:16 – “…let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your father in heaven.”

Father, I want to love in truth, remind me today to show it.  Open my eyes to ways to help people with their day!  In Jesus’ name, amen.