“Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” – 1 John 3:18
Writing as a kindly spiritual father to all of us, the Apostle John reminds us of the profound meaning and challenge of Christ’s commandment to love one another. It’s completely inadequate to simply “love everyone” in the abstract. If you love everyone, you love no one. As followers of Jesus we have to love people in the concrete – by our actions and the investment of our lives, our time, our energy, and our resources. We must do practical things to love one another. Inconvenient things. Messy things.
True love for others isn’t about platitudes, abstractions, speeches, or appearances. It isn’t even about feelings. It’s about rolling up our sleeves to demonstrate true care and love day in and day out. It’s about listening, sharing, caring, and helping. It’s about love that overcomes barriers, divisions, and separations to love others regardless of race, ethnicity, citizenship, or social status. It’s about loving others who can’t necessarily love back.
We’re called to a hard love, but equipped for that by a divine love within us. As you reflect on your actions, particularly in a year when our instincts, advice, and personal situations may have driven us away from others, have you been loving in deed and in truth? If not, it isn’t too late! Simply repent and put your actions where your words were. Love in deed and truth!