Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. (1 John 3:18)

THE CAR AHEAD OF ME displayed an interesting bumper sticker. It said, “Honk if you love Jesus!” I suppose quite a few motorists honked. After all, it’s easy to honk.

Later, I spied a more challenging bumper sticker. It read, “If you love Jesus, tithe. Anybody can honk.” The driver must have caught the message John conveyed in 1 John 3:18: Genuine love is communicated best in actions, not words.

When our granddaughter Kayla was three, she received a dollar bill from my wife so she would have something to spend during a shopping trip. While seated in the car, Kayla asked, “Grandma, would you like me to share this dollar with you?” When Grandma replied, “That would be nice, Kayla,” little Kayla tore the bill in two and handed one half to her grandma.

Kayla’s understanding of economics was flawed, but her understanding of love was excellent. She exemplified the kind of love the apostle John urged believers to practice.

Chuck put love into action, when he learned that Don, a fellow church member, had been laid off. He handed me a hundred dollars, and asked, “Pastor, will you give this to Don? I want to remain anonymous.”

When a fellow Christian is hurting, it’s easy to say, “I love you in the Lord, and I will be praying for you.” However, genuine love compels us to lend a helping hand whenever possible.

If you know someone who needs a helping hand, reach out to him or her today with practical assistance.

Jim Dyet and his wife, Gloria, have been married fifty-five years. They live in Colorado Springs, where Jim enjoys golf and daily walks with his three small dogs.