Words from the Rock
The King will say . . . , “I was hungry, and you gave me food. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was alone and away from home, and you invited me into your house. I was without clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.”
Then the good people will answer, “Lord, when did we see you hungry . . . thirsty . . . away from home . . . without clothes . . . sick or in prison?” . . .
Then the King will answer, “I tell you the truth, anything you did for even the least of my people here, you also did for me.”
Matthew 25:34–40 NCV
It’s not difficult to say the words “I love you.” In fact, some people say these words rather carelessly, not really considering the meaning. There are others who say them insincerely, when they actually feel no love whatsoever. Some people even use them manipulatively, in order to get something from someone.
God wants your love for him to be genuine, and one way to show that love is real is by putting it into action. When you love someone, you’re willing to go the distance to help them. If they’re in need, you give. If they’re lonely, you comfort. That’s the way love acts.
Jesus takes this to an ever deeper level. He says we show our love to him in the way we love others. When we feed a hungry person, we feed Jesus. We give a poor person clothes, and it’s like we clothed Jesus. We invite a homeless person into our home, and Jesus is there too. We visit an inmate, and Jesus feels we have visited him.
Nothing pleases Jesus more than when you go out of your way to love others selflessly and wholeheartedly like that. His Spirit will lead you and guide you in loving that way—if you’re tuned in. Instead of just telling Jesus you love him, why not put it into action!
My Prayer
Dear God,
I do love you and want to show it by loving others. Please help me to see those in need and how I can help them.
Amen.
Final Word
Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
1 John 3:18 NLT
Stone for the Journey
Love for others equals love for Jesus.