The Love that Acts
1 John 3:17 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? 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.
Saying "I love you" is really only significant when it is backed up with action. The true measure of love is not words, but deeds and truth. John went so far as to question the sincerity of those who love in words only: "...How does the love of God abide in him?"
Deeds are the things we do from the heart. Truth is the holy and biblical motivation behind the things we do for others.
According to verse 19, exercising true love draws us closer to God, strengthens our character, and more firmly establishes us in the truth (The Word of God).
