Loving Actions and Assurance

This is how we know that we belong to the truth and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence: If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God and receive from him anything we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. The one who keeps God’s commands lives in him, and he in them. And this is how we know that he lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.

1 John 3:19-24 (NIV)

I admit that I have watched the tryouts for American Idol and it is good trainwreck TV. The sad thing is that some people don't know that they can't sing. Some people don't know how good they really are. The deal is that you know you are a singer not because you feel like a singer but because you sing and sing well. Being a Christian is not about feelings, being a Christian is about being Christlike.

How often do we first look to how we feel to assure ourselves of our relationship with God in Christ? Remember, we love because he first loved us. Notice that the Bible does not say that we feel like loving others therefore we love others. Let's get real here. If my love for my wife is only attached to feelings, our marriage is in trouble. I have to love her in actual, tangible ways. 

Let's get down to the bottom line. When we see someone in need and we can help, help. We love by faith. Faith in Christ that he will use our actions to glorify himself. Remember that this is not about your good deeds equaling your salvation. Don't get caught up in that stuff. Just try to be giving. God will sort it all out in Christ. 

Father, help us to enjoy each opportunity to love in action. Praise be to you in us today!