This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.
- 1 John 3:16-18
 
Actions. Truth. Sacrifice. Service. Compassion. Are you getting a picture of what it looks like for us to live in response to the great love that the Father has lavished upon us and to respond in the Spirit to the love of Jesus?
 
Don’t just talk about it. 
Don’t just post on Facebook about it.
Don’t just Tweet or Snap or Insta about it.
Don’t just grumble about it.
Don’t just shout about it.
 
Words and speech can be cheap if they aren’t backed by action and truth.
 
Sometimes the truth stands silently, a compassionate friend leaving a bag of groceries on your porch in a tough season to communicate to you that you’re not alone. We don’t have to always be talking. We don’t have to always get credit for our good deeds. We don’t always have to explain what we’re doing or why we’re doing it or how awesome it is. Jesus did more than make speeches.
 
As you’ve been reflecting on this passage this week, what acts of service has Jesus been nudging you to consider? What help or support will you need to take those steps? Who might you ask to help or support or keep you accountable?