1 John 3

Scripture1 John 3:18¹⁸ Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.Observation 1 John 3 speaks to God’s love for His children.  It is also includes a call to be different – no longer walking in sin (lawlessness) – as His children…but instead to “love one another” (v 11).Understanding

I just returned from 6 days at ComicCon in San Diego.  If you’re unsure what this is, some 120,000 people come to celebrate all things comic/character related.  Amidst the chaos and throngs of people, there were people each day with signs “Christ died for your sins.”  “Repent!  Turn to Christ.”  Some of them had blow horns.  Some of them played recorded scripture readings or sermons.  I’m not 100% sure what they thought would be the outcome of their approach but the reality was people came away feeling judged “I don’t understand what they think is so wrong with ComicCon” or prepared to mock the sign holders - “Oh, there’s the Christians” and various (much worse) other comments being made.  And, to be honest, the people with the blow horns seemed judgy…straight faced, no smile, spouting out their scripture...and they represented a picture of Christianity that I wouldn't want to be a part of either.   

It made me wonder what a different approach may bring.  It was HOT and people were literally sleeping outside to get in.  If the intent was to love through action and, ultimately, to win souls to Christ, maybe handing out cold waters with those same scriptures…or “camping out” with the people on the streets and grass with the intent of developing connections that lead to sharing about Christ…or handing out little “blessing bags” to those that waited for hours…or maybe even creating little comics with the story of Jesus to give to the kids.  It’s easy to speak from a distance on how this could have been done better…but what if we all applied that same thought process to each situation we faced?  As I enter into this [situation/location], how can I show love through action that may open the door to share the good news? Life ApplicationMay we look for ways to put our love in action – both towards those we love and those we don’t yet know.  May we have a heart for people – both saved and lost – the way that Jesus did.  A heart that seeks to show Christ’s love in tangible and intangible, big and small ways.  May we know Him and make Him known in everything we do. God, I thank you for your love for me, for your love for your people.  May I actively seek to partner with you, to be a conduit for that love in every circumstance, every situation, every connection I make throughout the day.  May my life be an outpouring of love through action and in truth to all those I encounter.  In your name, I pray.  Amen.   To check out the discussion or to join in click here.- Rei