Verse of the Day 8/13

1 John 3:18   Little children, let us not love [merely] in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity).    (AMP)

I read this verse over the weekend in connection with 1 Corinthians 13, the "love chapter".  Love is a word, a term, that is thrown around too loosely and to describe too many things in this day and age.  The same word used to express our feelings towards our spouse, or kids, or our God used to describe our feelings towards pizza, football  or a car.  Today's verse reminds us that while we may have sentiments toward some of these things, true love will show itself or be revealed through our deeds for another person, or towards God.

 

Commenting on 1 Corinthians 13:4 holds God's word up as a sort of mirror to reflect, to give us a glimpse of our own love and how it measures up.  He writes, "love is patient, but you are impatient.  Love is kind, but you are unkind toward those who disagree with you.  Love is not jealous, but you envy those with certain spiritual gifts.  Love does not brag, but you are proud of your theology.  Love is not arrogant and does not act unbecomingly, but you are often rude and ill mannered toward one another."

 

It is easy to look out into society, through the news events and the politics of the day and point out a lack of love.  But what about in our own lives.  How are we acting toward the ones we love?  Are we loving merely in theory or in speech or in deed and truth, in practice and sincerity?

 

As we head off into the week, "let us love", as Christ followers, as we are instructed in today's verse.

 

In Christ,
Mike

 

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Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace  NIV

1 John 3:17-19  New Living Translation (NLT)
17 If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God's love be in that person?

 

18 Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 19 Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.