TODAY’S VERSE:

1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

In the last few Kids’ Corners, we have learned about both the importance of and the effects of what we allow into our souls. What we see, hear, and give our attention to shapes the way we think. How we think, then, shapes the way we speak. This month we will learn how important it is for righteous actions to follow righteous words.

You have probably heard the saying used for our title, “actions speak louder than words”. Do you know what that means? Here is an example: say you have a classmate who claims that they are your best friend but then tends to stay mad at you for a long time when you fail, does not spend time with you, or share their blessings, or help you when you need it, or comfort you when you are sad. They may say they are your best friend, but they certainly do not act like it! God describes a real friend this way:

Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”

John 15:12-14 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you.”

So, true friends love, forgive, and sacrifice for others. We are true friends to Jesus when we obey Him. Anyone can say that they love God and others, but their actions become the proof as to whether or not they speak the truth. Though we will we all fail to be a good friend, at times, neither God nor a true friend expects perfection. As with all things good, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is the ultimate example of a true friend whose words were proven by His actions. Jesus said that He loves us.

John 15:9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you…”

He not only said that He loved us, He showed that He loved us by His saving work on the cross. Jesus was judged for our sin, died, and then was resurrected (brought to life) so that we could be freed from the power and penalty of sin (death and eternal separation from God) and then welcome to live for eternity with God in Heaven.

Ephesians 5:1-2 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

As both today’s verse and the verse above states, we are to follow the example of Jesus Christ and show love to others by how we “walk”. When we fill our minds with God’s Word, speak words of love to others, and then show them love by our actions, we become righteous ambassadors for Jesus Christ. People will see the love of God in us. Wow, what an amazing opportunity we have in this life to share the love of God with others!

Let us, then, decide to be true friends to both God and people by making daily decisions to read our Bible, pray, and obey God’s commands. Then will have the power to show His love to others through both our words and actions.