Throughout this series we’ve used fruit as evidence. You don’t have to convince anyone an apple tree is an apple tree once apples start hanging from its branches. Eventually, what’s happening on the inside becomes visible on the outside. The same is true of love. It’s easy to say, “I love God.” It’s easy to say, “I love people.” But John makes an uncomfortable connection between what we say and how we live. In 1 John 2, he essentially asks: Does your life match your words? That’s a powerful question.
If I say I know Jesus, but consistently treat people nothing like Jesus treated them, there’s a disconnect somewhere. If I say I’m living under the influence of the Holy Spirit, eventually there should be evidence of His influence. That’s the proof. But let’s be careful. We’re not talking about perfection, we’re talking about progression. We’re all growing, we all have moments when our reactions don’t look much like Jesus. But eventually, showing up in church, should result in growing up in Christ. John says that if we abide in Christ, we should increasingly “walk just as He walked.”
And how did Jesus walk? He noticed people others ignored. He touched people others avoided. He forgave people who failed Him. He served people who couldn’t repay Him. He spoke truth even when it was uncomfortable. Ultimately, He gave His life for people who didn’t deserve it.
Jesus didn’t merely talk about love, He demonstrated it. And now that same love is supposed to become visible through us. That’s why 1 John 3:18 says, “Let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.”
Love isn’t proven by intention, it becomes visible through action. Sometimes the proof is dramatic, but more, it’s ordinary: it?s forgiveness when you’ve been hurt, kindness when someone is difficult, faithfulness when walking away would be easier, or gentleness when you could have drawn the sword. Come to think of it, that sounds a lot like the Fruit of the Spirit, because when God’s love is growing inside us, eventually something shows up.
