As I came across this verse today, I had several questions that came to mind. I jotted them down and will do my best to try to answer them because I wanna know what love is! Haha. Here we go!
Why did John begin this verse with “Dear children”?
- Because we, as believers, are children of God?
- Perhaps because we are still in the learning process like children are?
- Maybe because kids tend to mimic the actions of adults and He has been teaching how we are to love one another like Jesus loved people.
- Ephesians 5:1-2 “Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children <téknon>, and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.”
- “Dear children” <téknon> was a term of endearment used in the N. T. used by teachers when addressing their disciples/Christian converts.
What does it mean to love “with actions”?
- The Greek word for “actions” is <ergon> and it means: an act, deed, thing done: (the idea of working is emphasized, opposed to that which is less than work)
- Work (DIC): to perform or carry through a task requiring sustained effort or continuous repeated operations; to function or operate according to plan or design; to set or keep in motion, operation, or activity; cause to operate or produce
- PAUSE TO PONDER then the use of the word <ergon>. The kind of love we are called to – the kind of love with which Jesus gives – isn’t something that comes easily or naturally, but requires choice, purpose, and the power of the Spirit within us. Also, consider that, because God IS love (1 John 4:8) and because we have been created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27), when we love like Jesus loves, we are functioning and operating according to God’s plan and design.
What does it mean to love “in truth”?
- The Greek word for “truth” is <alētheia> and it means: of a truth, in reality, in fact, certainly; in accordance with fact, i. e. (according to the context) justly, without partiality
- I see this as choosing not to be phony. Don’t say or think one thing, while showing another.
- But I also see “loving in truth” to mean that sometimes a situation calls for an action that the world would consider unloving—tough love. Loving someone you care about enough to share God’s truth with them—in a loving way of course, but not withholding truth about something that could potentially help them in the long run.
- Jesus demonstrated this kind of love all throughout His life and ministry.
God calls us not to merely talk about love,
but to demonstrate love in actions and in truth.
I’m not sure about you, but studying my way through this verse was enlightening and more than a little convicting. I can’t tell you the number of times I have had a “silent grumble” in my heart, sporting a smile on my face, while doing a supposed loving action. While the “doing” might align with loving in “action”, my attitude didn’t align with loving in “truth”. Nope, not at all. Man, I feel like this verse has my name written all over it. It’s like the Spirit is shining a light on this truth to reveal me to myself. I need to get my actions and my attitude on the same page.
Oh Lord, I’m sorry. Please nudge me with Your Spirit when I am not loving like Jesus. I truly desire to love in actions AND in truth.