God’s Heart For The PoorSample

What Is Love?

What is love? This age-old question is answered here in these verses!

As the Son of God, Jesus possessed more than we can ever imagine. Even so, He gave up everything, voluntarily and selflessly sacrificing Himself for us so that we can have eternal life. In that sacrifice, we see the essence of love itself!

John says that love is not in words or speech. It is displayed in actions and in truth. He says that love is active, not just felt, thought, or spoken. In these verses we see someone who has more than enough to meet his own needs, yet he remains hardhearted to those around him who are in need.

God doesn’t want religious rhetoric or ritual. He wants us to sacrifice—whether through sharing material possessions or even laying down our lives for another. That is love. Jesus’ death on the cross offered us the most powerful evidence of love “in deed and truth.” He loved those who ridiculed Him and even laid down His life for those who hated Him. His love in action impacted history in an eternal way!