We know what real love is because Jesus gave up His life for us.
1 John 3:16 NLT
“We know what real love is…”
John doesn’t begin with opinion — he begins with revelation.
Love is not something we define by culture, preference, or comfort. It is revealed in Christ and demonstrated at the cross. Jesus didn’t theorize about love — He embodied it fully, faithfully, and sacrificially.
The issue isn’t whether Jesus showed real love. The deeper question is this:
Do we trust God’s definition of love enough to live by it?
Because trusting that love will always lead us somewhere holy — and costly.
It leads us to loving fearlessly and sacrificially.
Trust → Listen → Obey
Many believers read Scripture.
Many understand it.
But trust is proven when obedience costs something.
John is not offering inspiration — he is calling for alignment.
“So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.”
This is how the life of Jesus continues in the world — His love moving through His people.
Giving up our lives doesn’t always look dramatic. More often, it looks like surrendering comfort, convenience, or emotional distance for the sake of someone else.
A simple, Spirit-led rhythm:
- Trust what God reveals about love
- Listen for how the Holy Spirit is applying that truth today
- Obey in real moments, with real people
Without trust, obedience becomes optional. With trust, God’s love is demonstrated through our obedience.
The Holy Spirit Is Speaking — Are We Responding?
The Holy Spirit is always speaking.
Sometimes through Scripture.
Sometimes through circumstances.
Sometimes through the quiet awareness that love is missing.
John speaks plainly:
“If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion — how can God’s love be in that person?”
—1 John 3:17 (NLT)
This isn’t accusation — it’s revelation.
Love exposes whether the life of God is flowing or stalled.
Ask the Spirit:
- What am I seeing that You want me to notice?
- Where is there a lack of love within my reach?
- What moment are You inviting me into right now?
You may not fix systemic injustice.
But you can love the person in front of you.
Faithful love in small moments carries eternal weight.
Love in Motion
“Let us show the truth by our actions.”
—1 John 3:18 (NLT)
Love that never moves isn’t love — it’s language.
God’s love was never meant to stop at understanding or agreement. It was always meant to travel — through hands, through time, through ordinary people willing to obey in ordinary moments.
People are not transformed by words alone.
The world is not healed by good intentions.
Love must be seen, felt, and experienced.
Slow down when the Spirit nudges.
Look people in the eyes.
Interrupt your schedule.
This is how love becomes visible.
This is how we stop reflecting the emptiness of the world and start revealing the life of Christ — present, compassionate, and obedient.
Love in motion is not loud.
It is faithful.
Prayer
Lord, we confess that we have sometimes trusted comfort more than truth. Change us.
Where our hearts have grown guarded, soften us.
Where fear has silenced obedience, strengthen us.
Where love has remained theoretical, activate it through us.
Give us eyes to see what You see.
Hearts quick to respond.
Lives that make Your love visible.
God — don’t just inform us.
Transform us.
Amen.
Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
1 John 3:18 NLT
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