June 13
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1 JOHN 3
16 By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. 17 But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? 18 Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. – 1 John 3:16-18
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1 JOHN 3 LOVE IN DEED AND IN TRUTH
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
You cannot say you know God if you do not manifest love
As a believer, the proof of your love is to show that you care
To love with a return in mind is not love but is a transaction
True love is to lay down one’s life without any conditions
If someone comes to you who is in need and you have it
Do not dismiss it but respond by providing that need.
Let us not just talk but show in action the love that we have
The fruit of the Spirit is in the deed that we show to our brother
It is not in what we say that we can truly prove our love for others
It is in how we risk our own life to bring life to another sister or brother
Jesus lay down his life to save us from the bondage of sin
We also ought to follow his example so we can please him.
When we declare we love someone, it has to be coupled with action
To say that we love and yet now manifest in our deeds is deception
All those who belong to the Lord do not use the word love loosely
If one uses it to get something back in return, it is lying wilfully
Let us love unconditionally like how God love us all
If we don’t, we will easily be tempted and fall.
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REFLECTION
• Share an experience that you totally felt you were loved by someone. What did they do to make you assured of their love for you?
• Why are actions stronger than words in this case of proving your love for someone as John indicates in the following verses?