Love with action and in truth

I John 3:18 (NIV)

Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 

The context of this verse is the story of Cain and Abel.  John contrasts the children of God and the children of the devil, using Abel and Cain as examples.  Abel was accepted by God because of his faith while Cain tried to be saved by works, but was not accepted (Genesis 4).  I John 3:12 states that Cain’s actions were evil while Abel’s were righteous.  I John 3:14-15 states that if you do not love your brother, you hate him, you remain in death, and you are a murderer!

This question might make you uncomfortable…….where do you see “Cain-like” attitudes in yourself?  Who might you still hate?  How can you convert that hate into love?  How can you convert hating your enemies to loving them as Jesus commanded?      

You are to love others not with words (both oral in and writing) but with actions.  We all know that talk is cheap.  We all have been victimized by words that were partial or complete lies, that someone told us something that was not true or that they did not really mean.  Valentine’s Day contains a lot of words of love, but such words are not enough.  The higher form of love is your actions that back up the truth of your words. 

You’ve heard of the difference between reading the Bible and studying the Bible is the use of pen and paper.  The difference between loving with words and loving with actions is the use of your hands and arms (along with your legs).  What have you done lately with your hands and arms and legs?  I think of those who choose to go on missions trips.  Their love was shown by actions and truth in addition to words and tongue.  Verse 17 states that if you have material possession and you see a brother in need, you show no love if you don’t have pity on him and help him.  A brother in need is not helped by words; he is helped by actions.

Who can you help right now with actions and truth?  How can you love your spouse not only with words but also with actions?  How can you be a better neighbor, a better friend?  What kind of new resolve does the truth of this verse give to you that will be a part of you the rest of your life?