Love expresses itself in practical help. There are humanitarian relief efforts that alleviate the pain and distress in this world by feeding the hungry, providing medical services, building houses for the homeless, building wells to provide access to clean water and the list goes on and on. We are caretakers of this planet, so this is a wonderful thing that we reach out to make a difference in places where help is sorely needed.

When it comes to introducing God to the world we mostly think of charity – Helping the disadvantaged and thereby introducing the gospel – however, the apostle John wrote in his letter that God introduces Himself through His children. No one has ever seen God – but He will be visible to the public eye by the way God’s children relate to each other. People who don’t know God are able to see the Lord when God’s children are respectful with one another. In fact, God’s love is made complete when His children love one another.

Amazingly, God’s love is brought to full fruition in His children. Think about that for a moment. God’s extravagant love is expressed in the way His children live, day by day, week by week, month by month and year after year. Unfortunately, if there is division and strife among the people of God, then people who don’t know God will have trouble seeing the Lord.

Regardless their imperfection, God has used frail human beings to represent Him here on earth. Only God could have come up with such an idea. His children may not be perfect, but if their intentions are, they complete God’s intentions to pour out His love all across the universe and specifically in the neighborhood – right in front of our door step.