Live it up!
Welcome to the first “live it up” email! In 2022, the CSB team is pulling together content designed to inspire us to put the Bible into action. Today we’re looking at 1 John 3:16-18 and considering how we might love others in action and truth.
Love in action and in truth
You might be familiar with verse 16 (This is how we have come to know love…). However, John doesn’t close the book here. He follows the gospel to where it gets personal: We should also lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has this world’s goods and sees a fellow believer in need but withholds compassion from him — how does God’s love reside in him? Little children, let us not love in word or speech, but in action and in truth.
Love means action and truth. Your action might begin with a small, daily change, like working prayer more regularly into your routine or shoveling a neighbor’s driveway. But don’t be surprised if this responsibility grows to require a difficult conversation, a change in perspective, or even a long-term commitment to people or projects. When John said love, he said lay down our lives.
Where do I start?
Not sure where your action starts? Just ask. Bring your heart—in whatever state it’s in—and ask God. Spend some time in his Word, brainstorm a little, and watch as your understanding of God’s love grows in depth and complexity.
