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Read: 1 John 3:16-18
Listen: 1 John 3

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:1

John writes to Christians about how they should love each other in their church community. He goes right to Jesus to define love. Jesus’s willingness to die for others is the best example of what it means to love. It’s sacrificial love. He also writes about meeting the tangible needs of other believers. Showing love isn’t shown only with words. Showing love in actions and in truth is a test of authentic faith, a way to know whether someone truly follows Jesus.

How our church community takes care of each other matters. When we serve each other, it shows God’s love to the world. When we give our time to invest in the spiritual growth of the children at Ada Bible, it’s showing love. When we warmly welcome people to the weekend service or serve cookies and coffee with a smile, it’s showing love. We show love when we use our talents to help a small group member with a home repair, serve as a financial coach or join the worship team. We declare God’s love when we give for the first time or give sacrificially on a regular basis so the church can continue to show the love of Jesus to West Michigan. It’s putting our love into action in tangible ways.

TODAY: Ask God how you can put your love into action in tangible ways. Perhaps it’s volunteering with a ministry. Maybe it’s using your skills to serve others. Or maybe God is calling you to greater financial generosity. Whatever God reveals—take action. Find your place to serve here or give here. For more discussion on assurance of your salvation and showing God’s love, listen to the Beyond the Weekend Podcast.