“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3.16-18
Loving with words is good, but loving with actions and in truth is equally important.
This is a great distinction. Too often, we say we love someone or something, but we don’t follow through. If we, as Christians, claim to love Christ, we must love our brothers and sisters and all those in need.
Whenever I am in a downtown city, I notice the homeless. I can’t unsee them. Sometimes I stop for a conversation, sometimes I hand out money, and sometimes I ignore them altogether. I was in Austin this weekend and failed to show compassion to anyone I saw on the street. I could have stopped, should have stopped, but I walked right by. This is what we would call in the Walk to Emmaus 4th Day small group a “discipleship denied.” I was with my family, headed to a nice brunch, and did not want to get involved. (Although I did pray for a few as I passed by!)
But what would Jesus do? We all know. He would stop, bring worth and dignity to the situation, and bear witness to the humanity within. Even if the person was struggling with mental illness or some kind of substance abuse, Jesus would stop and help.
In verse 16, John reminds us that Jesus laid down his life for us, so we must lay down our lives for each other. This is what it means to love: to care for others, to show others compassion, and to love with both words and deeds. How could I walk by some of the most hurting and ignore their situation? Why not stop, get them breakfast, or take an hour out of my time to care for them? It’s a good reminder that next time, I will be His hands and feet.
Verse 17 reminds us that the love of God will be displayed when we see a brother or sister in need. We, as Christ followers, are called to do just that: to not deny Christ but to let His light shine through us to all in need.
“O Lord God, come and work through me. Sometimes I deny Your love by ignoring the needs of others. Help me find my strength in You. Help me find in You the love and compassion that our world so desperately needs. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and have Your way with me. Mold me, shape me, remake me according to Your image. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen