Loving Indeed

"My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. "

1 John 3:18

As children of God, we are called to love one another as He loves us.  God's love is practically displayed, meeting all our needs by God's grace.  This love is more than words or feelings, but is actively demonstrated in opening our hearts to one another.  1 John 3:17 asks the question:  "But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?"  We cannot meet every need, nor does God expect us to.  Based upon the great love we have received from Jesus, our hearts should be open to being used by God to meet needs everywhere in Jesus' name.

When there is hatred in our hearts, we cannot love as we ought.  This passage in 1 John reveals that in God's sight hatred towards our brother is murder in God's eyes, even as looking with lustful intent is the same as committing adultery.  We do well not to hate others, but our aim must be to love them.  As James demonstrated his faith in God through God works, the righteousness of God is displayed through love towards others.  It does us little good to ask ourselves if we nurse a grudge or hatred of others, but better to ask if we have demonstrated love to them.  God's love is active and never fails.  Praise God for that!