“Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, “Good-bye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well”—but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?”
—James 2:15-16 NLT

Many believe that love is just an emotion; a feeling that comes and goes. That idea couldn’t be further from the truth.

Love can be the result of attraction and is often accompanied by certain emotions, but in its purest sense real love involves wanting the best for another person and taking concrete actions to advance their cause.

John 3:16 (ESV) says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

God’s love for the world led him to action. He gave his son.

As James 2:15-16 says, we can “feel” love for a person and wish them well, but if that love does not lead us to take practical actions to help them, it is not true love.

True love always leads to action.

Here is a simple prayer to carry with you today:

Breathe in: Jesus,
Breathe out: Help me love like you.