Love in Action

“My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.” 1 John 3:18

Love is more than just some words on a card that says “I love you.” It is more than just saying the words “I love you.” Anyone can say the words, but it is through action and by what someone does that proves their love. When someone loves another person it will be evident by their deeds.

Sometimes when a person’s house burns down and they lose everything in the fire, friends or neighbors in the community will all help them start to rebuild what they lost. They will give them furniture or other things to put into a new home, or start a website and donate money to them to help with the cost of rebuilding. It is the love for their friend and neighbor that causes them to go into action, and help them out.

Just before Jesus was crucified, Peter had denied knowing the Lord three times. After Jesus was risen, what did He say to Peter?

“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 

He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 

He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.” John 21:15-17

Jesus asked Peter if he loved Him, and told Him to do something that showed his love. He told Peter to feed His sheep, to help others to grow in the faith. Jesus knew that Peter loved Him. He wanted Peter to show it through his deeds. 

If you love Jesus you will seek to do things that show your love for Him. You will be obedient to the teachings in the Bible. Your faith in and love for Christ will have an action in your life. 

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:12-13

I once heard about a story of a group of soldiers fighting in the Middle East. One day they were engaged in a firefight and a grenade got thrown into the room they were fighting in. Immediately, one of the soldiers threw himself on top of that grenade to protect his squad, his body absorbing the explosion, and killing him. This man gave his life so that his friends would live. He knew that the only way to protect his fellow soldiers was to give up his own life by falling on that grenade.

That is like what Jesus did for us. Jesus died for the entire world, giving His own life for our sins so that we can be saved from eternal death. He loved us even before we became Christians, and offered us forgiveness. Jesus’ love for the world is shown by what He did for us on the cross. Jesus didn’t just say, I love you, and that was it. His love was shown by His deeds.

If it is really love, it will be shown through some kind of action. Show others your love!

In Christ,

Andrew