“LET US NOT LOVE IN WORD OR IN SPEECH BUT IN DEED AND IN TRUTH” (1 John 3:18)

by Fr. JohnBosco Ezeonwumelu · January 5, 2017

⏰05 January 2018

????1 John 3:11-21; Ps 100:1-2, 3, 4, 5 (R.v.1); John 1:43-51

????”LET US NOT LOVE IN WORD OR IN SPEECH BUT IN DEED AND IN TRUTH” (1 John 3:18)

Have you heard that love is sacrificial? Can you sacrifice anything for the sake of the one you claim to love?

Yesterday, we talked about Jesus the Lamb of God who laid down his life for us so as to save us. The evangelist John said that this act is a proof of his love for us and anyone who claims to love another must be ready to follow the footsteps of Christ (cf. 1 John 3:16).

Love is not a lip service (1 John 3:16). For some people, the only evidence they have to show that they love others is their claim to be “born-again”. Some of these live lives that are distanced from that of Christ which made one woman to call them, ‘Ndi born against!’ It is this type of people that brings discredit to God.

Those who love are begotten by God but those who do not love are already dead (1 John 3:14). Does my life testify that I live in love of God and my neighbour? After we have received love from God, do we try to extend it to others?

Let us learn from Philip today. After his encounter with Jesus, he went in search of Nathaniel, to bring him to Jesus.

You see! Every act of love must end at bringing people to Christ. Any person who claims to love you but leads you away from God actually hates you. If you have a friend who is always interested in having an extramarital sex with you, leading you to sin instead of remaining in Christ, he could be really be said to hate you.

Your intention to love must be free of all deceit. Notice what Jesus said of Nathaniel immediately he saw him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!” (John 1:47). What will Jesus say about you? Pray for me as you pray for yourself. I want Jesus to say something good about me when I breathe my last.

May the love of God be your rule of life in all you do especially in your relationship with others. Amen.

Have a lovely day. Peace be with you.