Love in Action

Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action. – (1 John 3:18, HCSB)

My children, our love should not be only words and talk. No, our love must be real. We must show our love by the things we do. – (1 John 3:18, ERV)

My little children, don’t just talk about love as an idea or a theory. Make it your true way of life, and live in the pattern of gracious love. – (1 John 3:18, VOICE)

Love is not merely a word, but rather it is made evident with truth and action. When love is a way of life, it is trusted and true. Jesus was the ultimate example of living a life of love through truth and action. He continually showed love through the things He did, just as much as through the words He spoke. His willingness to touch the untouchable, listen to those who had been ignored, heal the suffering, walk with the lonely, share with the lacking, and ultimately He laid down His life for us all in an overwhelmingly powerful display of His love. Love is practical, for love sees a need and works to meet it. This morning, I am sweetly reminded of how much love is demonstrated through what we do. Our dogs know they are loved and follow me, bounding up the stairs each morning as they know they will be fed and have their needs met. After they have eaten and gone outside, they cozy up beside me on the couch, where they know they will get pets and snuggles. When my husband comes upstairs to get ready to leave for work, they jump off the couch to greet him. Again, they know they will have a cuddle with dad before he leaves, and tails wag the moment they hear him coming up the stairs. Our posture ought to be similar, for as we wake in the morning, He is present to greet us and has provided us with another day. When it is our priority, our way of life to seek the Lord as we begin each day, we are reminded and filled so that we can go forth in love. May we ever turn to the Lord and seek His guidance so that we may love in truth and action, not just with words.

Much more than a word,

love’s shown through our deeds;

love helps and gives hope,

it seeks to meet needs.

Love lives out the truth,

and shows through action;

the goodness of God,

sweet satisfaction.

It’s a choice each day,

to choose to love well;

daily decision,

to have our life tell.

Tell of His goodness,

demonstrate His grace;

to love with our lives,

right here in this place.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You gave us the ultimate example of love through Your Son, Jesus. Thank You that He not only spoke in love, but He lived it out in truth and action. Forgive us for every word, thought, and deed that has not been an instrument of Your love. Teach us to let Your love lead us in all that we say and do. Show us how to love those around us best, as You touch each heart and grant Your peace. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we seek You to lead us to love in truth and action throughout each new day. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. – Romans 12:9-10

How to Love

For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. – (1 John 3:11, NIV)

This is the teaching you have heard from the beginning: We must love each other. – (1 John 3:11, ERV)

For this is the original message we heard: We should love each other. – (1 John 3:11, MSG)

The central truth – the one you have heard since the beginning of your faith – is that we must love one another. – (1 John 3:11, VOICE)

Yesterday was a day filled with the evidence of God’s love all around me. The entire staff, from the receptionist to the nurse, the doctor, and the phlebotomist, each displayed incredible kindness and grace through the care that they provided. From the moment we arrived, their demeanor set my heart at ease, and what could have been an unnerving experience, was pleasant and encouraging. Upon arriving home, my husband, who had already taken the day off to accompany me to my appointment, went out to the shop to fix the issues that were going on with my vehicle. While I went to go coach my gymnasts, he tirelessly worked to make certain that I would be able to drive my own car once again. Love is not merely a word, but rather it alive and active. It show up through acts of service, time together, willingness to sit beside another, and so much more. Love sees a need and takes action to meet it. Though we are taught that we should love one another, it becomes a genuine desire to do so well as we grow in our understanding of who God is and how He so completely and perfectly loves us. May we ever seek the Lord to show us more and more how to love each other well.

Created and called,

To love, one and all;

Ongoing actions,

Both through great and small.

To truly show love,

Intentional choice;

Tangible actions,

Not merely our voice.

To love is to see,

What others need most;

Then freely extend,

In love, move close.

To extend a hand,

Or give of our time;

Draw near, sit beside,

A choice to be kind.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You have called, commanded, and created us to love. Thank You that You see our needs and find ways to provide abundantly. Forgive us for the times that we have not acted on a prompting to extend love in a tangible way. Grant us Your eyes to see how we might love best, all those around us. Show us specific things we can do to show love in ways that speak clearly to the heart of the recipient. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. Be glorified O God, as we praise You for the countless ways that You show us Your love through others, and as we listen to Your leading and act in love. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Love is patient. Love is kind… – 1 Corinthians 13:4a