In a letter to her husband, Abigail Adams once wrote, “We have too many high-sounding words, and too few actions that correspond with them.” That may seem like an ironic quote to read from a blogger who obviously has a great love of words, but I have purposefully refrained from posting anything the past few weeks because that is exactly what I have been feeling–there are just too many words right now.
Everyone has an opinion and is all too eager to express it. We are bombarded with “news” that is cunningly crafted with an agenda or spin. The experts weigh in and stridently defend their facts against an equally adamant opposition with their own set of facts.
We need far fewer words.
What do we need instead? That’s a big, heavy, complicated question. It’s also a really simple one.
“And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as He has commanded us.” 1 John 3:23
Our nation has deep wounds that need to be healed. We cannot deny that there are divisions between us that will be difficult to make whole. It is apparent that there are systemic flaws that must be corrected. I want to be a part of the solutions. I desperately want to help us do and become better. And I truly believe that none of that will happen unless we are obedient to 1 John 3:23.
I’ve been asking myself: do I love others–ALL OTHERS–as Jesus commanded? What does that look like? Let’s back up a few verses in 1 John 3 to verse 18: “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”
Maybe John, like Mrs. Adams, discerned that words alone do not enact real change. They can inspire change. Words can help explain what needs to change, but meaningful, long-lasting change only happens when we take action that aligns with the truth of the Gospel, when we love in deed and in truth.
God’s love for us was shown through action–sending His son to put on humanity, to show us God’s character, and ultimately to sacrificially die for our failures. Godly, agape love is a selfless, purposeful, esteem and devotion that desires to do good and to act on behalf of the object of that love. That’s how God loves us and commands us to love.
The action of loving others will look differently for each believer according to how He has created and equipped us, and the passions He has instilled in us, but I believe it must start with a truthful examination of our thoughts and motives. We need to take action, but our actions need to proceed from a pure heart. Because until and unless our hearts and minds are freed from anger, bias, cynicism, bitterness, prejudice, selfishness, or any thoughts or views not aligned with Christlikeness toward others, we will not be acting in truth or Godly love.
So, before I add any more words to the current cacophony, I am asking myself hard questions and trying to give honest answers. I am praying that God will expose any hidden sin that I need to confess and turn from.
“Put me on trial, LORD, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.”Psalm 26:2 NLT
Will you commit to do the same and then proceed to love all image bearers not with mere words but actively in deed and in truth?