“PRACTICAL LOVE”

17 “But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?”

1 John 3:17

In a perfect world, there should not be any poor person among us (Deuteronomy 15:4), let alone a person who trusts in God because He is our Provider, right? For sure, this verse will take its full effect—when Christ returns. But for now, things are a little different. Some people are in dire need, even among our brothers and sisters in Christ. And the question is, what are we going to do about it?

Let’s take inspiration from 1 John 3. The Apostle asks his readers a rhetorical question to help them understand the practicality of love, the basis of their inclusion into God’s family. God demonstrated love by sending His Son, who died on the Cross for them (John 3:16). God’s love is not a meager collection of lofty, high-sounding words; it is kindness shown through His Son’s works.

John argues that anyone who has the world’s goods (“bios,” “that by which life is sustained, resources, wealth, goods”) and is aware of a brother’s need, yet closes (“kleio,” “to shut up compassion so that it is like a thing inaccessible to one, to be devoid of pity towards one”) his heart (“splagchnon,” “a heart in which mercy resides”) toward them, it’s unlikely that God’s love is found in him. John challenges his readers to show compassion whenever the occasion calls for it.

One Bible dictionary defines compassion as “literally a feeling with and for others, a fundamental and distinctive quality of the Biblical conception of God, to its prominence the world owes more than words can express.” In other words, compassion is love in action. It is a basic Christian characteristic. Love is the defining trait of a believer, which is seen in different ways, including compassion.

Compassion is taught throughout the Bible. In the Old Testament, the Law of Moses tended to promote a spirit of charity to prevent people from being poor. In the New Testament time, begging was common, which called for a benevolent spirit, especially from Christians. To believers, responding to the needs of the poor is not an option; it’s a duty that is not to be neglected. Our Lord, His disciples, and the first-century Christians all showed an example of caring not only for the poor among themselves but contributed also to the needs of those abroad.

By implication, we should be sensitive to the needs of others and do what we can to help. If we are blessed financially and see a brother who is in need, i.e., suffering from an illness that keeps him from working and providing for his family, and we refuse to help him, how can we say that we love him “with the love of the Lord?” One commentator said, “You can talk all day about how much you love that person, but talk does not put food on the table.” Our love matters only when we do something to actually help someone.

When you get the chance this day, help ease someone’s pain and express your love for others in practical ways.

Pursue the Savior today!

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