"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him. My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:16-17).
Jesus demonstrated his love for us not with just mere words but in that while we were yet sinner he died for us (Rom. 5:8). I believe it's important to express to others with our words that we love them. The Apostle Paul expressed his love to fellow believers when he wrote, "Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for..."(Philip 4:1). He also exhorted others believers to, "Love one another with brotherly affection" (Rom. 12:10). Sometimes people need to hear that we care for them--that we love them. Affectionate words or a warm embrace can encourage and reinforce to others that their lives have value and worth. Nevertheless words and hugs are cheap if an addition to showing affection for others we can also help to meet their needs and are unwilling to do so.
When we truly know and perceive the love of God for us we ought to be willing to sacrifice--to go out of our way to meet the needs of others. During the earthly ministry of Jesus he had this testimony, “who went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). Do you look for opportunities to do good things for others—the help meet the needs of others? May it also be said of our lives, “he/she went about doing good.”
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