Love in Action

“Little children,” John wrote to his readers, “we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action” (1 John 3:18). Words alone, John indicated, are empty. Believers must demonstrate love for God and for others in practical ways. John’s words remind us of James 2:17, where James wrote that “faith, if it doesn’t have works, is dead by itself.” The word translated works in James 2:17 is the same word translated action in 1 John 3:18.

What are some practical ways to love others? Both James and John gave examples just before they offered their admonitions.

• “If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat well,’ but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it?” (James 2:15-16).
• “If anyone has this world’s goods and sees his brother in need but closes his eyes to his need—how can God’s love reside in him?” (1 John 3:17). Taking a close look at verse 16 sheds even further light on practical love: “This is how we have come to know love: He [Jesus Christ] laid down His life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers.”

Jesus, you see, modeled this perfectly for His followers, including us. When Jesus’ disciples had become preoccupied with who was the greatest among them, Jesus told them that “whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many” (Mark 10:43-45).

Here’s yet another example. In his Gospel, John wrote that Jesus knew precisely who He was and what His mission was. Accordingly, “He got up from supper, laid aside His robe, took a towel, and tied it around Himself. Next, He poured water into a basin and began to wash His disciples feet and to dry them with the towel tied around Him” (John 13:4-5). When He had completed the task, He said to His disciples, “I have given you an example that you also should do just as I have done for you” (v. 15). The words we have cited from John and from James echo Jesus’ own words and actions. What have you done recently to show love to God and to others?