Use words to bless others, but back up words with actions.ġ John 3:16-17 says, “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. It is not that it is wrong to love with words, but words without “actions” or “truth” are empty and make us liars. #2 “let us not love with words or speech…”

His paternal love for the Church is evident. Breaking Down the Key Parts of 1 John 3:18 Ask Jesus to help you, and he will show you where to start. If you have not been as generous as you think you should have been, or you know that you have missed opportunities to show love with actions and truth, it is never too late to repent and start loving. Jesus sees it as serving him when, in Christ, we serve and help others (Mt 25:40). But the reality is that there are many genuine needs that Christ would have us meet out of love for him. Paul said in 2 Thessalonians 3:10 that if someone won’t work, they should not eat. There are nuances to this, of course, because there is a way to help others that is toxic and will cause the harm of enabling and dependency. What we believe is shown by what we do.Ī true test of whether we are abiding in Christ will be our compassion for the poor and for anyone in need.

We don’t serve those in need in order to be saved, but rather, because we are saved. That said, we are saved by grace, and not by works. We cannot just say, “I love you,” without showing it. “Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Explanation and Commentary of 1 John 3:18Īfter saying that if anyone sees his brother in need and does not help him, he does not have love, John broadens the point to say that love is an action.

What is the true meaning of love