John has been discussing loving our brothers.  He says in verse 14 that the way we know we have passed from death to life is because we love the brethren.  He goes so far as to say that whoever doesn’t love his brother abides in death and whoever hates his brother is a murderer and doesn’t have eternal life abiding in him (verse 15).

It’s not enough to just talk like we’re Christians.  It’s not enough for us to say our theology, doctrines or beliefs are that we should love our brothers and sisters, but we need to love "in deed and in truth."  We need to back up our beliefs and our words with sincere action.

If we see a brother in need and we have means to meet that need and we shut up our compassion from him how can we say we have the love of God in us (See verse 17)?  Let’s not just talk about the love of God that’s in us but let’s prove His love is in us by our sincere actions.

Confession:

I will not just believe and profess that I have the love of God in me.  I will not just talk about the love of God but I will love in deed and in truth.  I will act according to the love of God that’s been shed abroad in my heart with sincerity.