"Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." - 1 John 3:18 NLT
Confession: I used to be an angsty and dishonoring teenager. I remember on multiple occasions getting home from school, grabbing some snacks that my mom lovingly made for me, and then running out the door. As I was quickly trying to get out of the house, my mom would say, “I love you”, and I would respond with “love ya, Mom!” I know she meant what she said, because her actions of caring for me, even when I treated her disrespectfully, were always kind and tender-hearted.
When I reflect on those moments, I see how my response was often cold and robotic, a mere repetition of words with no meaning behind them. It's a reminder of how easily you and I can slip into the habit of expressing love verbally without letting it permeate our actions.
The Holy Spirit reminds us through the apostle John to not confine love to mere words but to let it flow through our actions. Love is the dynamic power of God that should transform not only our verbal expressions but our entire way of living. It's about making sure others experience a genuine warmth that they can hear and feel through tangible display.
Consider the life of Jesus, the ultimate embodiment of love in action. His words and deeds were perfectly combined, from healing the sick to washing the feet of His disciples, to the mission of taking the horror of the crucifixion for you. His love wasn't only a proclamation; it was a proclamation which led to an active demonstration.
Through your journey of following Jesus, pause and reflect: How can I move beyond the scripted "I love you" and combine loving words with loving actions? Perhaps it's a thoughtful gesture, praying for someone in person, sending a family member a "just because" card, or displaying a simple act of kindness. These small, intentional actions are how Jesus said that others would recognize that you and I belong to Him.
HIGHLIGHTED QUOTE: "Consider the life of Jesus, the ultimate embodiment of love in action."
TIP OF THE DAY: Identify one practical way to demonstrate love to someone in your life today. It's in these small actions that the truth of your love shines brightest.
TALKING TO GOD: Father, guide me to live out love authentically just as Jesus does for me. I ask You to put someone on my heart that I can reach out to and share Your love in a tangible way. May my actions combine with my words to impact others so that more people will experience the love of God through me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
PAUSE AND REFLECT
- Is there any relationship in your life where you might be drifting to using more robotic repetition?
- Reflecting on Jesus' life, how can you actively integrate love into your daily actions, moving beyond verbal expressions alone?
- What practical steps can you take today to tangibly demonstrate love to a relationship where you may be drifting away from genuine love?
