Love Beyond Words

Introduction: There is a catchy acrostic explanation for the word joy.

J stands for Jesus; O stands for others; and Y stands for yourself.

Some say that this is a fine way to prioritize our love: Jesus, Others, and Yourself. But there must be an awareness that God has loved you unconditionally to make it possible to feel truly loved. Our love for Jesus stems from the love God has shown us in him. We express our love for Jesus by following his “new commandment” that we love one another. (This acrostic could be used as a children’s message or put on cards for use in the sermon.)

We are Loved

1). A Poor Self-Image

Psychologists tell us that one of the major problems in our society is that people do not like themselves. However, if you ask these same people how they are, they will tell you that they are fine. This is a case of words not agreeing with actions. We often see how people express the absence of love in their lives through self-destructive lifestyles: indulging in drugs, alcohol, immorality, pornography, abortion, and even suicide (cf. vv 21–24),

2). A Positive Self-Image

These same psychologist tell us that It is vitally important that we possess a healthy self-image. But as Christians, our self-image is based on the love of God for us in Jesus Christ (1 John 3:16-20). Because God loves me and declares me forgiven, then my conscience is set at peace, and this gives us confidence before God (1 John 3:20-21). If I consider myself unloved and unlovable, then I am rejecting God’s unconditional love and the truth of the gospel.

Love for Jesus

1. Love Is Not Just Words

John counsels us to not let our love degenerate into mere verbiage produced by a fast-moving tongue and pious mouth. That is known as hypocrisy. Jesus got upset with the scribes and Pharisees for giving an outward appearance of religiosity while inside they were corrupt (Matt 23:27–28).

For example, if I say to an individual “I love you” but do not demonstrate my love for them, this is hypocrisy and is what our Lord is driving at.

2. It Is a Responsive Love

“We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). God demonstrated his love through action. Jesus had a life of active love, performing miracles, teaching, and doing good. His suffering and death proved without a doubt the sincerity and depth of his love, and his resurrection was the Father’s stamp of approval. We are moved to respond by showing our love through our actions.

So, why don’t we say it like this: “Words are pleasant, but Deeds of love are superior.”

Love for Others

1. Improper Motives

We should not practice fickle, conditional love toward others. John begins his section with a greeting to his “dear children” (v 18) and later calls them “dear friends” ( agapētai, literally “beloved,” 3:21; 4:1, 7, 11). We do not perform deeds just so others will like us; we do them to show love regardless of what their response might be.

2. Proper Motives

Jesus tells us to love others to demonstrate our love for him: “Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did to me” (Matthew 25:31-40). Our active love keeps us active.

The challenge before us is some people are not as easy to love as others. We need to distinguish between hating sin and loving the sinner. When parents are upset with their children, they still love them. Children need to know that they are always loved by their parents. But they also need to know that their disobedience is displeasing to their parents and harmful for themselves and others. In the same way, God has loved us in Jesus Christ, and like a perfect parent, his love is not conditioned on our actions. Yet he calls us to respond by demonstrating our love through Christian behavior and performing good works which are beneficial to others in that they demonstrate the love of God.

For example, we all have have at least one opportunity to show love to others. We can bake a pie for a new neighbor, shovel the walk for an elderly shut-in, visit the sick and dying, serve on one of the boards at church, teach Sunday school or a Bible class, invite a friend or relative to attend church, or listen compassionately to one who is distressed.

Conclusion: Recall when, after his suffering, death, and resurrection, our Lord Jesus Christ appeared to the disciples and asked Peter three times if he loved him (John 21:15-19). Our Lord does not tell Peter three times that he loves him, because he has already proven his love by being crucified for the sins of all. There is no question that Jesus loves us. Rather, the question Jesus asked Peter is the same one he asks us today: “do you love me?” (John 21:17).

We have been baptized in his name for the forgiveness of sins. We have received his Spirit and are filled with faith. We gather every Sunday and Wednesday to hear his Word. We remember him by receiving his body and blood in the sacrament, and praise him. Are we not now demonstrating our love for him by our actions?

May God move us to continue doing so every day of the week. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.