“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth” (1 John 3:17-18)
The Bible lets us know that the love of God has been deposited in our hearts by the Holy Ghost (Romans 5:5). So, if you’re born again, you ought to necessarily love, and that love must go beyond mere talking into positive action towards others. Our opening scripture, in the Message Translation reads: “If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? It disappears. And you made it disappear. My dear children, let’s not just talk about love; let’s practice real love.”
Again, the Bible says “… he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” (1 John 4:20) So, you actually prove your love for God and toward Him in the way you show love to others, especially fellow believers. If you don’t actively love those for whom Jesus died, then you really don’t love God.
See God in your brothers and sisters in Christ. Every little act of love or kindness you show to a fellow believer has great reward, for you’re actually doing it unto the Lord: (Matthew 25:34-45). No wonder the Apostle John declared: “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren” (1 John 3:16). This means we ought to love others selflessly and unconditionally as Christ has loved us.
Learn to help and give to others; genuinely care for others. Go the extra mile to assist someone else today! Never allow selfishness or self-centeredness any place in your heart. Always, at the slightest opportunity, do good to someone. Don’t just talk about love; practice real love today!
Prayer
Dear Father, I thank you for your love that radiates through me! Everyone I meet or relate with today is impacted with your divine love as I consciously show them your love in deed, and in truth, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Further Study
James 2:15-16
1 John 3:16 MSG
(Taken by permission from Christ Embassy Church , aka Believer’s LoveWorld Ministries , Lagos, Nigeria. www.ChristEmbassy.org )
