The way we came to know love
was that he laid down his life for us;
so we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
If someone who has worldly means
sees a brother in need and refuses him compassion,
how can the love of God remain in him?
Children, let us love not in word or speech
but in deed and truth. (1 Jn 3:16-18)
We know that we teach best by example.
That is why we often tell parents, if they want their children never to smoke, they, the parents, should not be smokers. It does little good to speak about the ills of smoking when puffing smoke in our children’s faces.
If we want them to refrain from drinking, we should not overly imbibe in front of them.
The list could go on and on.
God is love.
He told us He loved us when He promised to send a deliverer to us.
He revealed His love for us in the birth of His Son.
He showed us He loved us by dying on the cross for us.
He asks us to love one another.
Ah. Therein lies the rub.
We want to be loved; however, we often fail to love others.
We have to love, not in word; but, in deed.
FAITH ACTION: Do some positive good for someone today. It could be a family member, a friend, or a total stranger. Just do someone a good deed today.