On Loveናሙና

Deed and Truth

There is a significant difference between words and deeds. We claim to love others. We say we trust people. Yet, it takes little to no effort to declare that someone or something is important to us. It is our actions that take more effort than our words.

There is nothing that reveals our beliefs and priorities more than what we actually do. Saying what we value is the easy part. It does not mean our words are not important; they definitely matter. However, if our actions do not match our words, they are like vapor in the wind.

1 John 3:18 says to not love others with words or tongue, but in deed and in truth. There is a reason why deed is connected to truth in this verse. When we are inconsistent, our lack of action neutralizes our speaking. This verse admonishes us to do what we say and say what we do. If our words and actions do not work in harmony, both are ineffective.

Although we all love to hear someone say they love us, love is not only about saying the words. True love is mainly about doing. Love is an action. Love is serving the best interest of others. It is acting in our own best interest. It is the truest manifestation of who we are.

We can see and speak in truth only when we love in truth. Love is putting faith into action. Nothing says more about what we believe, love, and value than what we do. John implores us to be consistent and true as we convert our words into action; this is the true nature of love. It is adopting God’s perspective of love.

God is the greatest example of true love. As His children, we want to follow His example. How can we better understand the Word, through the Spirit, to truly love others? We do not want to be people who only say we love others. We want our hearts to be transformed daily into God’s image so that we can love others better and so that our love gives them an opportunity to know Him.