Not in Word or Talk but in Deed and Truth

1 Jn. 3:18

Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. 

Does John address these believers as children because of their maturity level? Are these concepts so elemental that even children should understand them? Regardless his instruction is that we should love one another. [Sounds somewhat basic!] A bad example would be Cain who killed his brother because Abel was more righteous than he. Such jealousy! We condemn Cain but how much jealously is in us? Not to the killing point but to a degree. Are we jealous of other's prestige, position, possessions or friends? When we write it down, it sounds so petty. But in the heart it is so deceptive. 

The world does hate us because Jesus Christ lives within us. But that is where hatred must stop! It must never be seen in one brother toward another. Jesus' example was to lay down His life for us, His brothers. In similar fashion our love for one another should be that strong. If we see a brother in need but then walk away without meeting his need, what kind of love is that? Is the love of God abiding in us? That is why John speaks to believers as children. This kind of behavior is childish and selfish. We need to look around and see the needs of our brothers and sisters in the Lord. And then meet those needs! That is loving not just in word or talk but in deed and truth!

Father,,

Help me to love like Jesus did. Open my eyes to see the needs in others and then meet those needs. 

In Jesus name,

Amen