Truth and Action

                When I was a child, my parents often told me, “Actions speak louder than words!” Each time I heard this phrase I wondered why my parents did not believe this themselves. For example, my mom would explain to me the importance of obeying the law (do not steal, walk on cross walks, ect.) and then she would go above the posted speed limit. I was told it was good to be generous but was also taught not to make eye contact with the person ringing a bell in front of the grocery store or the homeless man on the corner. I was also taught that we should love and accept all people no matter how different they were, but when I was in high school and had friends that were homosexual or suspected of being lesbian, everyone in my church was concerned about my salvation.

                1 John 3:18 says, “Little children, we must not love with word or speech, but with truth and action.” This verse needs no explanation or description. There is no context that needs to be given because the context does not change the verse’s simple meaning. The church has recently become more accepting of homosexuality which is a big step in the direction of loving with action. This being said, one of my friends recently found themselves in a confusing situation.

                In a group of mixed religious views and backgrounds and mixed sexual orientations, my friend found herself in a discussion about religion. My friend has spent a lot of time among this particular group of people and has developed some very strong friendships within this group, but, in this instance, she became uncomfortable because she was pressured to share her opinion about homosexuality from Christianity’s point of view. On the one hand, she did not want to misrepresent God by saying that He does not consider homosexuality to be a sin, but on the other hand, she did not want to offend her friends or make them feel judged. In this instance, 1 John 3:18 comes to mind in that we must love with truth as well as action. When I have been faced with similar situations, I do not attempt to hide or lie about what God considers to be sin or that He is clear that anyone who does not know Jesus will go to hell. In the same way, I do not judge anyone according to the Bible who does not claim to hold themselves by Its standard. I have found when doing this, that my actions of loving and accepting people generally overcomes any offense that truth my bring.

                Are there areas in my life or people in my life that I do not love with action? What can I change about my actions to show the people in my life that I love and accept who they are? Are there relationships in my life in which I do not love with truth or feel comfortable being honest? What steps can I take to love others with truth?

                Lord, please give me the confidence and discernment to love with truth and action. Help me to show Your love in every relationship that I have. Amen.