Lessons From "the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved" - LOVE IS EXPRESSED BY ACTIONS

 

We oftent hink of love as a warm fee3ling expressed by kind words.  Bot for to be real, it must also be backed by actions.  (Compare James 2:17, 26.)  For example, Jehovah loves us. (1 John 4:19)  And he expresses his love through the beautiful words recorded in the Bible.  (Psalm 25:10; Romans 8:38, 39) However, we are convinced that God loves us not just because of what he says but also because of what he does.  John wrote: "By this love  of God was revealed in our case, that God sent his only-begotten So into the world so that we might gain life through him." (John 4:9) Jehovah allowed his beloved Son to suffer and die for us.  (John 3:16) Can there be any doubt that Jehovah really loves  us!

Jesus assured his disciples that he had affection for them.  (John 13:1; 15:15) He proved the depth of his love for them and for us not for just what he said, but also by he did.  "No one has love greater than this," said Jesus, "that someone should surrender his life in behalf of his friends."  (John 15:13)   When we think about what Jehovah and Jesus have done for  us, how should we be affected?

We prove that we love  Jehovah and Jesus by obeying them. (John 14:15; 1 John 5:3) And  Jesus specifically commanded us to love one another.  (John 13:34, 35)  We must not only express our love for our brothers and sisters in words but also show that we love them by what we do.  (Read John 3:18)  What specifically can we do to prove that we love them?

Next time: Lessons From "the Disciple Whom Jesus Loved" - LOVE YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS

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