1 John 3:18
True love requires both words and deeds, and it must be genuine and heartfelt to be considered love in truth.
John Gill emphasizes the importance of genuine love among believers, urging that love should not be merely verbal but demonstrated through actions. He explains that true love is not just about kind words but involves tangible acts of kindness and support for one another, reflecting the heart's sincerity. Gill highlights that love must be expressed in both spiritual and practical ways, such as bearing burdens, forgiving, and meeting each other's needs. He warns against superficial expressions of love that lack true commitment and encourages believers to act with a cheerful and generous spirit. Ultimately, love should be a heartfelt and active grace that reflects Christ's love for us.
Text
Ver. 18. My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue,.... Which though it holds good of love to God, and to Jesus Christ, yet here is to be understood of love to the brethren, as the context shows; and so the Syriac version reads, "let us not love one another in word", &c. that is, without the heart, or with a double heart; speaking one thing with the lip, and designing another thing in the heart; speaking peaceably with the mouth, and with the heart laying wait; or we should not love in this manner "only"; and so the Arabic version of De Dieu adds.
It is very lawful, and right to express our love to one another, and to all men in words, to give good words, and use courteous language, and speak in a kind, tender, and affectionate manner, and especially to persons in distress; but this should not be all, it will be of no avail to say to such, be warmed and filled, and give them nothing but these good words, nothing to warm and fill them with; see Jas 2:15;
but in deed and in truth; for true love is a laborious and operative grace, hence we read of the work and labour of love; it shows itself by the saints serving one another, in spirituals; as by bearing one another's burdens, forbearing with, and forgiving one another, praying for each other, and building up one another on their most holy faith; exhorting each other to the duties of religion, and not suffering sins upon one another, but admonish in love, and restore with meekness; and in temporals, distributing to the necessities of the saints, ministering: to them of their worldly substance, and supplying their daily wants: and this is loving "in deed", or "in work"; this is actual love, love in fact, and what is apparent and evident: and it is "in truth", when it is in reality, and not in show only; and when it is cordially and heartily done, with cheerfulness, and without grudging.
Sermon Outline
- I. Love in Word and Deed
- A. Love in word is not enough
- B. True love is a laborious and operative grace
- C. Love in deed is actual and evident
- D. Love in truth is when it is in reality and not in show only
Key Quotes
“True love is a laborious and operative grace.” — John Gill
“Love in deed is actual and evident.” — John Gill
“Love in truth is when it is in reality and not in show only.” — John Gill
Application Points
- We must not just express love through words, but also back it up with actions.
- True love requires serving others, bearing their burdens, and helping them in their daily needs.
- Love in truth is when love is genuine and heartfelt, and not just superficial.