Love Without Fail – Toni Babcock
“If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth,” (1 John 3:17-18 NIV).
When examining why and how someone has fallen into hard times, we can sometimes rush to judgment as a means to avoid getting involved and offering our help. Have you ever said: “If they had just ordered their lives aright and avoided making such poor decisions, they wouldn’t have gotten themselves into this fix” or, “How do I know if I step in and help, I’m not enabling them?” or “What about tough love?” etc.
Jumping to this kind of defense while maintaining a void where the love of God should exist, may mean we’ve got a bigger problem than the person needing help.
Yes, there are people who make a living by taking advantage of others generosity. But, for every one of them, there are scores of broken and hurting individuals in need of someone to believe in them without mistrust, needing just one more break in life instead of judgment. The Apostle James wrote, “Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?” (James 2:15-16 NIV)
Love according to God’s example. 1 Corinthians 13 teaches us that love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things—love never fails.
Toni M. Babcock is author of Reflections from the Heart, In Light of the Gospel of Jesus. Contact
