Words in Action

  1 John 3:18
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in truth.

Actions do speak louder than words. Words can be very effective when used to lift or encourage someone who is going through difficult times. Words do have meaning and are a very powerful way to communicate God’s love to others. But sometimes words can be hollow or insincere. Jesus tells a story of a person who was robbed and left for dead when certain religious men came by, and seemingly felt sorry for the man, but did nothing to help him. But it was the good Samaritan that didn’t speak words of platitude, he put action to his words and provided help for the injured man. John gives us an example of Jesus who not only spoke words of love and kindness, but was willing to die for us. The God of creation laid down His life that we may have deliverance from sin, so it provided a way to connect us back to our creator. Love is hypocritical when one has the means and ability to help, but is not willing to give when the need arises. Scripture makes it clear that salvation is not possible by doing good deeds. Laying down your life for someone else is admirable, but done in the absence of God’s love in the heart, the sacrifice is earthly and without heavenly reward. Work without love is dead, our deeds must be done in truth. We are not able to help or give our means for every cause that crosses our pathway, but God is faithful to show us His good will and pleasure. Let us not shut up our hearts of compassion, but let us open our hearts by putting words to action, to help our brothers in need.

Doing Good Deeds

 1 John 3:18
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.

It is said that actions speak louder than words. The Bible teaches us that words alone are not enough to prove our love for God or others. We can say we love God, but our actions say otherwise. Like faith and works, love and works go hand in hand. It is good that we speak words of kindness and appreciation, verbalizing our love for others, but where the rubber hits the road is when we demonstrate our love by giving ourselves and time to others who are in need. We will not be able to always give to everyone in need, or for every cause that is present, but God is faithful to lead each of us to give when the opportunity is open to us, and His spirit prompts us into action. Doing good deeds for others does not necessarily mean we are showing love. We must do so with truth, and with pure motives. Let us walk the talk, and manifest Christ in a world that is hurting and in need of special healing.

Showing Kindness

Eph. 4:32 “and be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”-

Kindness is manifest through our action, attitudes, and words. Being kind is done on purpose and with sincerity. True kindness can not be acted out. It comes from a heart that knows the kindness of God. A heart that has experience the forgiveness of sin. We owed a debt we could not pay, but God in His loving kindness paid the debt, showed us mercy and gave us a second chance. It is not always easy to be kind to some people. People who are mean spirited, and use cutting words to hurt people make it difficult to be kind to. More than likely, people like this have been hurt or treated ill in the past. They don’t know what it means to be kind. As Christian, we have the opportunity to show the Kindness of Christ to others by showing acts of mercy, and speaking words of kindness. Let others see Christ in you, even when it is hard to love. It is Christ alone that gives us the grace to be kind one to another and to those who need the love of God.