just words

It is the new year. We all know what that means… resolutions. So, here is one of mine: read through the entire Bible in a year. Today’s reading starting in an unusual spot. My plan had me begin in 1 John. I am so so grateful it did. I have always loved 1 John, but today I read a particular verse in a new light.

“Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God. Even if we feel guilty, God is greater than our feelings, and he knows everything.”

- 1 John 3:18-20

About a month ago, I had a very random, hurtful encounter. Since then, I haven’t thought much about it. Yet, as I read this verse today, that particular circumstance came to mind. She said some pointed, untrue things that sat with me that day and, I realized, still sit with me today. I thought of that moment and began to feel that same anger bubbling up in my chest. I am still angry at the accusations of someone who doesn’t even know me. I am still angry that she would say that to me, a sister in Christ. I am still angry that it even happened at all.

See the hypocrisy already?

I am angry that she didn’t love me like we are called to love in that moment, and here I am, not loving her far past that moment. I can’t speak for her heart today, but I can speak for mine. I am not loving her like I am called. I am not praying for her like I am called. I am not forgiving 70 x 7 times like I am called (Matt. 18:21, 22).

We cannot just say that we love others, our actions must show we love others. Those actions then show God's truth. I can sit here and say all day long that I love others (even those who hurt me), but if I continue to boil over things that they did that bother me, talk poorly about them, etc., then my actions are not showing that “love” I claim.

All that to say, actions manifest what is truly in your heart.

Merely saying is not enough, it is the doing that demonstrates an actual life change that only Christ can cause. It seems impossible to actively take actions to love someone, especially when they hurt you, but God is greater. He is greater than the feelings of anger, of hurt, of betrayal, of shame, of sadness.

God is greater.

That is the truth that I want to show with my actions. I want to show more than His love, I want to show His power. The power that purifies and renews on more than January first of every year. His power purifies and renews every second. The call of 1 John to love your brothers and sisters goes far beyond the surface. It digs into the root of your heart. A heart rooted in truth will urge you to act in truth, but a heart rooted in feelings will urge you to act according to your feelings.

I found myself so convicted of making feelings-led decisions this morning. The oddity of beginning my year-read through the Bible in 1 John is not an oddity at all. The renewal of a new year is not on God’s mind, it is the continual reshaping of my life to demonstrate Him to others.

Rapha, Healer, thank you for molding me daily, even when I don’t think I need it. Thank you for pursuing me today. Help me to love, truly love, others, no matter who they are or what they have done. Give me the strength to look past my feelings and remember you are greater.