Love in Deed & Truth
Why hypocrites struggle with love
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Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.
1 John 3:18 (ESV)
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Spoiler alert:
This verse is not just for little children. It’s for all of us.
The writer, John, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples, liked to address the church he was writing to as “little children.” It was a term of endearment, showing his affection for the church.
After all, John in his Gospel even calls himself “the one who Jesus loved.”
Now, getting into the advice from him, we see him paying particular attention to our actions above our talk.
Namely, that our love for one another should be seen in our actions, not merely heard by our words.
We have sayings that echo this today:
“Walk your talk.”
Or the inverse: “All bark and no bite.”
The world will not be impacted by the words of hypocrites in the church. What changes the world is our demonstration of radical love. Love that comes from God and flows through us.
I’m as guilty of ignoring this advice as any of us.
So these words are a challenge to me today.
“How can I demonstrate love, rather than just talking about it?”
Of course, the answer is action. The specific action depends on the day, the place, the particular circumstances.
But something like writing and sending an email to you that inspires you is more than words on a page, it’s an action I’m taking each day.
So … I hope you’re encouraged today.
And maybe challenged a little bit too.
— Ricky Ketchum
Copyright © 2025 by Ricky Ketchum. All rights reserved. Unauthorized duplication prohibited.
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