*_1 John 3:18 (NLT)_*
*Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.*
In his address to the angel of the church in Philadelphia, the Lord revealed himself as the one who is true. _"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is...true" (Revelation 3:7 KJV)._ What does this teach you? This teaches that as a child of God, you must have a vivid understanding of reality. The Lord is true. He is The Amen. Whatever comes out of his mouth is the truth. He does not say what is not true of him. Likewise, he does not lie about what is true of him. All his promises are yes and true. There's not a scintilla of falsehood in him. This is the reason why you can trust the Lord at all times.
This is the person you are following as a Christian. You must clearly see his truthfulness and emulate him. As the theme scripture admonishes, don't just say you love your brother or sister. Show them that you love them. Show your love by your action, not merely by your words. Many people speak the truth but they do not do the truth. There are some who preach the truth all right, but they themselves do not walk in the truth that they teach. This was typical of the pharisees of Jesus' time. The Lord once reprimanded them for being hypocritical. The Lord told his disciples, _“The scribes and the Pharisees administer the authority of Moses, so do whatever they tell you and follow it, but stop doing what they do, because they don’t do what they say" (Mathew 23:1-3, ISV)._
It is not the talkers who have approval before God but the doers. James wrote, _"Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear!" (1:23, MSG)._ So who may be called a 'fool' in this context? The one who listens to the word of God but does not do what the word says. That person is only deceiving himself or herself that he or she is approved for merely listening to the word of God. The world is looking for Christians who will show them love and not those who just talk to them about love. What you do is what proves who you are, so give proof to your love by showing it rather than merely talking about it. Hallelujah!
*DECLARATION*
I am a person of my word. I am genuine and trustworthy. My love comes with demonstration. Every word I utter is true, and not false. I follow the example of my Lord Jesus. Glory to his name forever. Amen.
*FURTHER STUDY*
*3 John 1:3*
_For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth._
*1 John 4:20*
_If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?_
*James 2:15-17*
_If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.