I’m sure that if you have spent any time on this world, you have experienced people loving in words and not in actions. It’s been there since the beginning of man.
Love is Not Just Emotion
In our previous blog, when we discussed 1 John 3:12b-15 we talked about that the most rudimental fruit a believer will express is love. John Bevere, a notable evangelist famously taught that love is not emotion, but an action. But the problem is that many just mindlessly act, without a desire to love. That is legalistic, and not rooted in love. A believer on the other hand, will connect to his innate love, and express it in action.
Love is not just an emotion; it is an action. While feelings of affection and care are important, true love must be expressed through tangible deeds. In 1 John 3:16-18, John calls us to move beyond mere words and emotions and demonstrate love in practical ways. This is the essence of Christian love—a love that mirrors the sacrificial and selfless love of Christ.
Love Beyond Words
John makes it clear that love cannot be limited to words alone:
“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
(1 John 3:16-18)
Words alone, no matter how kind or eloquent, are insufficient if not accompanied by actions. In this age of being politically correct, often we know what to say, even though our heart won’t be aligned. For example, telling someone “I care about you” while ignoring their obvious needs is not true love. Sometimes it’s “Let me know if you need anything”, but then never pick the call when the person in need calls. Or sometimes it’s the Christian cop-out, when someone in need asks us for help, we say we will pray about it. Love must move from intention to impact—from saying to doing.
Love in Action
Jesus provided the ultimate example of love in action by laying down His life for us. John 3:16 reminds us of this love:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”
See that it says for God so loved the world that he gave. There is always an action connected to God’s love. This is also given in 1 John 3:16:
“By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”
While most of us will never be called to physically lay down our lives, we are called to love sacrificially. This might mean helping a brother or sister in need, even when it is inconvenient or costly. As John shifts the focus from “the brethren” (the collective) to “his brother” (the individual), he emphasizes the personal nature of Christian love.
Examples of Love in Action
Christian love is deeply practical. Consider the Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). When asked, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus flipped the question to, “To whom can I be a neighbor?” Love was demonstrated through action—helping a stranger in need.
Here are some modern examples:
- A church group helps a young mother struggling to find time for her personal devotions by volunteering to care for her children.
- Christians in a community pool resources to support a member facing financial difficulties.
- A believer spends time mentoring a lonely youth, providing friendship and guidance.
These acts of love go beyond material aid; they involve giving oneself to others. As Galatians 6:10 reminds us:
“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.”
An inspiring example of someone who loved beyond words is Mother Teresa, who dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor. She didn’t merely express sympathy; she lived her love through tireless action. In Calcutta, she established homes for the dying, offering care and dignity to those suffering from diseases like leprosy, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. Through the Missionaries of Charity, she provided shelter, food, and clothing to the homeless, personally tending to wounds, feeding the hungry, and embracing society’s outcasts. Her love was practical and sacrificial, rooted in her faith and reflecting the essence of 1 John 3:18: “Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” Mother Teresa’s life reminds us that love in action has the power to bring hope, dignity, and transformation to the lives of others.
Balancing Love and Teaching
While love in action is essential, it must be accompanied by sound teaching. Churches should not focus solely on expressing love while neglecting the depth of God’s Word. As believers, we need both.
Whenever I go to a new city, I often hear about amazing pastors, and people invite me to their churches. More often than not, when I attend, the pastor is indeed incredible at touching people’s hearts with love. However, they often spend little time revealing the depths of the Word to the congregation. People love a pastor who helps and comforts but may dislike one who emphasizes teaching. Yet, there must be a balance. A church with a loving pastor but no depth in teaching will remain shallow. On the other hand, a pastor who teaches without expressing love is not reflecting Christ’s character.
Christian leadership and community require both love and truth. As Ephesians 4:15 says:
“Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.”
Conclusion
Love is more than an emotion; it is expressed through action. John calls us to move beyond words and demonstrate love in tangible ways. Whether it is meeting a need, offering encouragement, or sacrificing time and resources, love in action reflects the heart of Christ. At the same time, our love must be balanced with truth and teaching to ensure a church’s spiritual growth.
Let us embrace the call of 1 John 3:16-18: to love not only in word but also in deed and in truth. This is the true test of Christian love, and it is through this love that we reflect Christ to the world.
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