In Deed and Truth

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? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
– 1 John 3:17–18 –

Christians confess with their mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in their hearts God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9–10). The Holy Spirit gives us eyes to see and hearts to believe. Once this happens, we are changed. As new creations in Christ, we begin to love God, our neighbors, and our brothers and sisters in Christ in a new and more selfless way.

Heartfelt love for God and tangible love for others gives evidence to the genuineness of our faith. Within the church we love other believers not merely in word but in deed and in truth. We are generous with our possessions and hospitable with our homes. We open up our hearts and schedules to others. Their burdens become ours. Their needs are our summons to serve. Believers can’t harden their hearts when they see their fellow Christians in need. The Holy Spirit compels them to help. Their new nature moves their to care for other believers’ needs.

Ask yourself whether or not your life shows the evidence of true conversion. Consider whether or not you love your brothers and sisters in deed and in truth. If you have a profession of faith but no loving works of faith, you may need to double-check the genuineness of your confession.