Actions and Truth

Dear Children, let us not love with words or speech but with Actions and Truth.

1 John 3:18 NIV

Following on from yesterday's blog, we follow the theme of actions speaking louder than words. John's account instructs in a similar manner to James. The text starts with what is said in the negative, the priority being the sensitivity of what not to do, that being to love only with words or speech. This is followed by the word 'but' which can be used to compare two things. We might enjoy Italian food 'but' we might prefer Chinese food. What follows the word 'but' is more important than that which precedes it. It can be helpful to remember 'but' as standing for 'Beware the Underlying Truth.' The truth here is what follows, that being to love with actions and truth. It can suggest that what is spoken or written can be deceptive and lack commitment. Claiming to love on it's own is insufficient, it needs to be supported in actions and deeds.

Saying is one thing, doing, is another. Actions speak louder than words.