SpiriseBible
"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." - 1 John 3:18 (KJV)
Love is Christianity's identifying mark—not our doctrines, buildings, or programs, but our love. Yet biblical love isn't the warm fuzzy feeling portrayed in movies or the conditional affection common in relationships. It's decisive action that seeks others' highest good regardless of feelings. John challenges us to move beyond talking about love to demonstrating it through concrete deeds. This practical love transforms both giver and receiver.
Understanding Biblical Love
Scripture reveals love's true nature:
Love is commanded: "A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another" (John 13:34). If love were just feeling, it couldn't be commanded.
Love is chosen: "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you" (Matthew 5:44). We choose to love even when feelings oppose it.
Love is sacrificial: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends" (John 15:13). True love costs something.
Love is unconditional: "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Love doesn't wait for worthiness.
Love is active: "For God so loved the world, that he gave" (John 3:16). Love always results in action.
Love's Portrait in 1 Corinthians 13
Paul paints love's practical picture:
- Patient: "Charity suffereth long" - Love waits without complaining
- Kind: "And is kind" - Love acts benevolently
- Without envy: "Charity envieth not" - Love celebrates others' success
- Humble: "Vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up" - Love doesn't seek attention
- Polite: "Doth not behave itself unseemly" - Love shows courtesy
- Selfless: "Seeketh not her own" - Love prioritizes others
- Even-tempered: "Is not easily provoked" - Love controls reactions
- Forgiving: "Thinketh no evil" - Love doesn't keep score
- Truth-loving: "Rejoiceth in the truth" - Love aligns with righteousness
- Protective: "Beareth all things" - Love shields others
- Trusting: "Believeth all things" - Love gives benefit of doubt
- Hopeful: "Hopeth all things" - Love expects the best
- Persevering: "Endureth all things" - Love doesn't quit
Practicing Love in Daily Life
Love moves from theory to practice:
In the home: "Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church" (Ephesians 5:25). Love serves family members daily through small acts of kindness.
In the church: "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another" (John 13:35). Love builds unity through forgiveness and encouragement.
In the workplace: "Servants, obey in all things your masters... as unto the Lord" (Colossians 3:22). Love works excellently and treats coworkers with respect.
In the community: "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself" (Matthew 22:39). Love notices and meets neighbors' needs.
With enemies: "If thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink" (Romans 12:20). Love overcomes evil with good.
Practical Ways to Show Love
- Listen actively: Give full attention without interrupting or judging
- Speak encouragingly: "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth" (Ephesians 4:29)
- Serve practically: Look for ways to lighten others' loads
- Give generously: Share resources with those in need
- Forgive quickly: Don't let bitterness take root
- Pray faithfully: Intercede for others' needs
- Include lonely people: Notice those on the margins
- Celebrate others: Rejoice in their successes
- Comfort the hurting: "Weep with them that weep" (Romans 12:15)
- Speak truth gently: "Speaking the truth in love" (Ephesians 4:15)
Love's Challenges
Practicing love isn't easy:
When people are difficult: Remember you were difficult when Christ loved you. "We love him, because he first loved us" (1 John 4:19).
When love isn't returned: Love for God's glory, not human response. Your reward comes from Him.
When you don't feel loving: Act in love anyway. Feelings often follow actions.
When love costs too much: Remember Christ's cost for you. "Walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us" (Ephesians 5:2).
When past hurts interfere: Let God heal your wounds so you can love freely.
Love's Source and Power
We can't manufacture this love ourselves:
Love comes from God: "Love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God" (1 John 4:7). We love with His love flowing through us.
The Spirit produces love: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love" (Galatians 5:22). As we walk in the Spirit, love grows naturally.
Abiding in Christ enables love: "As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love" (John 15:9). Connection to the Vine produces fruit.
Love's Priority
Paul emphasizes love's supremacy: "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal" (1 Corinthians 13:1). Without love:
- Spiritual gifts become noise
- Knowledge becomes arrogance
- Faith becomes empty
- Sacrifice becomes worthless
- Service becomes performance
"And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity" (1 Corinthians 13:13).
Growing in Love
Love is a discipline to develop:
- Study God's love: The more you understand His love, the more you can share it
- Practice daily: Choose one loving action each day
- Confess lovelessness: Acknowledge when you fail to love
- Seek accountability: Ask others to help you grow in love
- Use tools wisely: Apps like SpiriseBible can remind you of love-focused verses
- Start small: Love those closest to you consistently
Love's Eternal Impact
"Charity never faileth" (1 Corinthians 13:8). Every act of genuine love echoes in eternity. People forget sermons but remember love. Your loving actions today create ripples that extend beyond your lifetime.
Reflection Questions
- In what relationships do you find it hardest to practice love? What specific actions could demonstrate love there?
- How does your love tend to be more words than deeds? What concrete steps will you take to change this?
- Who in your life needs to experience God's love through you today?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You are love, and You've called me to be known by love. Forgive me for loving in word only, for conditional love, and for lovelessness disguised as busyness. Fill me with Your supernatural love that acts regardless of feelings. Help me see people through Your eyes and love them with Your heart. Give me specific ways to demonstrate love today through practical deeds. Make me a channel of Your love to a world desperate for genuine care. May my love point others to You, the source of all true love. In Jesus' name, who showed perfect love, Amen.
Today's Challenge
Practice love through three intentional actions today: 1) Choose someone who irritates or challenges you and perform one unexpected act of kindness for them. 2) Write an encouraging note to someone who rarely receives appreciation. 3) Look for an opportunity to serve anonymously—helping without recognition. Remember, biblical love is measured not by feelings but by actions that seek others' good for God's glory.
