Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. – 1 John 3:18
The celebration of love, Valentine’s Day, is just around the corner. Many greeting card stands are already nearly empty of cards with just the right expression of love that you intend to give. Reservations at a favorite restaurant may no longer be available. You have heard it said that actions speak louder than words. When it comes to love, that axiom has more weight than you might expect.
Pastor and author Dr. John R.W. Stott said, “Essentially love is neither sentiment nor talk, but deeds. If our love is to be genuine (in truth), it will inevitably be positive and constructive (with actions). When you love in word, you are simply talking about a need. To love in deed is to do something about it.”
John Gill was an 18th century Bible scholar and theologian who wrote an extensive Exposition of the Bible Commentary. In discussing today’s verse, he wrote, “True love is a laborious and operative grace, hence we heed of the work and labor of love it shows itself by the saints serving one another.” He said such love bears “one another’s burdens, forbearing with and forgiving one another, praying for each other, and building up one another on their most holy faith, encouraging each other to do the duties of the faith… and exhorting in meekness.” Moreover, he says, it is “cordially and heartily done with cheerfulness.”
The love of God is your example and your motivation. Your love must extend beyond a singular beloved person you may recognize on Valentine’s Day. Jesus said, “By this all people will know you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). This is the same love that needs to go beyond mere words into forms of action. Extend a loving hand to someone in need today. You don’t have to look far to find a neighbor, a friend, someone at church, or even a stranger, who would benefit from Christlike love extended to them in action.
Love is, above all, the expectation of a Christ-filled believer. Pastor Adrian Rogers said, “When you have Christlike love, there is no job too small for you to do.” Jesus, the Lord of Glory, wants to extend His love through you. Love in deed is love indeed!
Today’s Verse: 1 John 3:18
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: 1 John 3:11-18
11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. 13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. 14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. 15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
