“When Saint John introduces the reality of love (1 John 3) – God’s love for all men, our love for God, our love for others, our love for our brethren in Christ – he also presents us with a challenge. We must make sure that our love is objective, measurable, and tangibly present in every aspect of our life…How do we make certain that God’s love extends to us, operates in us, and gives us eternal life? Our treatment of others become the test of this assertion: “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?...Let us not love in word…but in deed and in truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him” (1 John 3:17-19).” (Dynamis 3/2/2021)
“Almsgiving goes far beyond the giving of tangible gifts. It is also the giving of our hearts and minds to the ailing, disheartened, and lonely. Above all, we should abide in love…choose your words wisely when addressing others. Be patient and considerate. Forgive past grudges and seek understanding… Christian rhetoric without tangible acts of love is hypocrisy.” (George Tsongranis, David Kinnaman & Gabe Lyons)
“This “genuine” love is seen in its earnestness of others. This “genuine” love is seen in always comparing my love with God’s love and striving to match His love for me in my love for others. This “genuine” love finishes what it starts and realizes that “my abundance” has been given to me to supply the lack of others so that, when I am suffering in lack, their abundance can minister to me! It’s all about understanding that love can certainly be emotional and have tons of feelings, but that the danger is these very feelings and emotions will intoxicate me to think I’m done with the feeling. I’m not, ever. “Genuine” Love works. Love does. Love acts. Love makes God’s love tangible and visible. If it’s hidden or merely reduced to “good intentions” it hasn’t yet reached the level of “genuine” love!” (Fr. Barnabas Powell)
“…active, tangible love for others is part of righteousness. And active love for others grows out of our life in Christ. United to Christ, who is true knowledge, we come to know the love of God for ourselves, and the Lord leads us in turn to love others so that we may attain peace… The greatest thing that happens between God and the human soul is to love and to be loved." (Dynamis 3/25/2015, Kallistos Kataphygiotis)
“Real love for others produces tangible actions… The more you're practicing tangible love, the more you are sure that you belong to God. ” (Life Application Study Bible, Hebrews 13:1-5, Dr. Steve Viars)
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