“Jesus Christ said, “By their fruits you shall know them, not by their disclaimers” (William S.

Burroughs)

1 John 3:18—“Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”

Today could be an easy day IF we focus upon the love of God.

Today could be a hard day IF we focus upon the love of man.

Perspective.

Yes, perspective truly is important; however, we are human beings with human reactions to human conditions.

Adam and Eve were not so different.

Nor were Abram and Sarai so different.

Isaac and Rachel.

David and Bathsheba.

Truly, we are NOT so different.

What did each person listed above desire?

Each person desired to have what he (she) wanted to have WHEN he (she) wanted to have WHAT he (she) wanted to have.

PERIOD.

Yes, that’s right.  We want what we want when we want it, but the Bible instructs us to desire something different, something more like Jesus.

1 John 3:18—”Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”

Little children act only as little children know to act.

Little children LOVE what brings them immediate gratification.  As little children talk, they learn to say the words that bring them the most pleasure.

Little children act only as little children know to act.

Is not it time for us to “grow up” in the way we act, react, and live more like Jesus?

HOW—Do We Love—

Most selfishly.  Yes, let’s be honest—that is HOW we LOVE.  We love those who love us.  We love those things that bring us most satisfaction.  &. We love those who we think will help us in our future endeavors, our future hopes, and in our future—whatever.  We love because of what another can do FOR US, but is that HOW Jesus taught us to LOVE.

1 John 3:18—“Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”

WHY—Do We Love—

Most selfishly.  Yes, again, let’s be honest—that is WHY we LOVE.  We love because of what others can do for US.  Maybe that’s not true for moms and for dads, for brothers and for sisters, but what about the rest of the world?  Do we really love strangers as we should?  Do we really love our friends unconditionally?  We love with our mouths, but do we love with our hearts?  Do we find ourselves GIVING to others DESPITE what they can give to us in return?  We must love because of how HE First LOVED Us!

1 John 3:18—“Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”

WHAT—We Love—

We tend to go after what we love.  Let’s be honest—that’s WHAT we LOVE.  We desire to surround ourselves with others who help us feel important, with others who see us as worthy, and with others who love us, but what about the rest of the population?  Do we love those who don’t understand us?  Do we love those who believe differently than we believe?  Do we love those who act unlike we act.  Jesus calls us “little children,” and then he tells us to grow up—In Him.  Thank goodness, we are not required to “grow up” in God on our own.  Thank You, God!

1 John 3:18—“Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”

WHO—We Love—

So much of the Christian’s life is founded upon this truth:  Accepting God’s love as a matter of faith.  Let’s be honest—that’s WHO we LOVE.  Maybe we don’t see God’s love every day, displayed as we should, but that does not mean His Love does not exist.  On the contrary, others will come to know Him by the way believers demonstrate His Love.  We love others because He First Loved Us.  PERIOD.

1 John 3:18—“Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”

Love, people say, is a feeling, but it truly is not—a feeling.  Love is an action!  Love—Is not a noun but a verb.  Love—Is “showing,” & “doing,” and “helping,” & “demonstrating” the LOVE of JESUS to the world.

We are called to LOVE in JESUS name!

There are so many people who just cannot accept that the God of the Universe Loves them . . . just as they are!

The Bible tells us that is exactly how God Loves us—just as we are!

SEE WITH ME GOD’S WORD.