Bible Quote Feb 28th 1 John 3:18

“Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” - 1 John 3:18

John had been close to Jesus. He had thought, for a long time, that Jesus had promised John would never suffer mortal death. But God keeps all of his promises. In some ways, John died at least twice. Killed by Romans who wanted to silence his cult, John survived and died later, possibly of old age. He wrote this letter in Ephesus probably around the year 98.

John and Peter, of all the disciples had a special relationship with Jesus. Jesus even allowed them time to commune with Abraham and Moses. John writes in a particular style that is also evident in his letters and in Revelations. Earlier, John had written that Jesus was the Word made flesh. That flesh was sacrificed by God, as a gift to those whom God loved, so that God could abide them Because eternal life is close proximity to God. And to perish is to be utterly riven from God.

Pastoral care is a strong part of any community. Clearly this Christian community had issues and cliques had formed. So John needed to remind them of what love meant.

This part of the epistle of John from Ephesus is on the outworking of love. Love is practical. Saying "I love you" does not convey the warmth of a sweater when it is cold. Offering a place at the dinner table means much more than shared admiration of dinner tables. A community in devotion to God does not have a depraved indifference to the welfare of her members.

Love is meaningless if the emotion does not engender action. A former Israeli PM was asked why Jews wanted Israel when they could settle in any third world nation of their choice? He answered “Why would you drive 20kms on the weekend to see your grandmother when there are plenty of elderly women on your street you can visit?”

Love is personal. It crosses generations
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