"We know what real love is because Christ gave up His life for us. And so we ought to give up our lives for our Christian brothers and sisters. But if anyone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need and refuses to help-how can God's love be in that person? Dear children, let us just stop saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions. It is by our actions that we know we are living in the truth..." 1 John 3:16-19
If we took a survey and asked everyone we polled whether they love others, I am confident that nearly every person asked would respond that they do. If we followed that question with a secondary question asking, "How do you show you love others?", we might be surprised at some of the answers we receive...or don't receive. It's easy to say we love others...all it takes is for us to open our mouths and utter the words. But our scripture today tells us that talk is often cheap and is not always supported by action, action that at times requires us to use our financial resources to help someone else who is less fortunate.
Love, at its best, is displayed in the way we seek to make a difference in the lives of others, the same kind of love that Jesus showed. As we seek to model Him daily, we will see love take a central role in everything we do. For Jesus is love and during His life He always showed His love through His actions, the final act coming on the cross where He died for you, I and all creation. And the awesome thing about Jesus’ sacrifice is that He did it 2,000 plus years before we were even conceived. He didn't know us then but died for us any way. He did it to show us what real love is all about.
Question: Would you lay your life down and die for a total stranger if it meant saving their life? How do you respond when you see someone truly in need? Do you show that the love of God is in you? Do you seek to model the love of Jesus in all that you do each day? How much are you truly living "in the truth"?
Your answer to these questions will either validate or invalidate whether the love within you is true or transparent and whether Christ is truly abiding within your heart.
In Christ,
Mark
PS: Please share this with anyone you feel might be blessed by it.
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