1 JOHN 3:16-19
“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.
”I John 3:16-19 NKJV
https://www.bible.com/114/1jn.3.16-19.nkj
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Real love is more than words, a feeling or as many seem to believe, lust. It is continuous selfless actions of care and service for another without any expectation of something in return.
That could be money, food, a bed, or moral support, or even discipline. It is not giving something that is damaging-we all need God’s wisdom and strength to say no when it’s necessary.
The greatest action is to give oneself for the good of others.
Jesus came to save us from our sinful nature, selflessly and freely painfully giving His life that we might live.
Some times it’s easier to say I will die for others than to truly live for them, for this involves putting others first.
But Jesus said, This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
John 15:12-13 NKJV
To love is a choice and a decision to obey Jesus.
But the truth is, if one has God’s love, how can he or she, having the means to help a brother or sister in Christ, shut his or her heart?
“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
I John 4:7-11 NKJV
My beloved, allow the love of God reign in your life; allow the Fathers heart to reach out through you to believers and non believers alike.
Unbelievers are unlikely to walk into your place of worship to find Jesus; therefore, take the love of Jesus Christ into the streets and communities and search out the lost sheep of Israel. Show them the love of Christ and whilst you are doing that, “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”
Matthew 10:8 NKJV
For this is what you are called to do.
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.