Love is not primarily an emotion which makes us feel good.  It is a deep passion which compels us to complete acts of self-sacrifice so that the person we love can receive the best we can give.  The ultimate act of love is to surrender our lives so that others may live.  Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends." (John 15:13).  He proved that by accepting the punishment of our sin when He died on the cross (1 Peter 2:24).

The death of Jesus Christ was not only an example of love, it also defined love (1 John 4:10).  Love, without giving ourselves sacrificially, is not love at all.  So, John echoed Jesus in describing the marks of authentic membership of God's family (in contrast to the false teachers and their followers) as mutually giving themselves, and their possessions, to each other (Acts 4:32).  He expected to see genuine love between brothers and sisters in which self-sacrifice was normal (1 John 3:14).  Although some believers gave their lives in the cause of the gospel (most of the apostles died violently), for most Christians, their love was demonstrated by providing for other people's physical needs.

This passage is clear: Christians should be identified by their practical love, not merely a flow of sympathetic or spiritual words (John 13:34-35).  John then looks at the opposite.  What does it mean if somebody who claims to be a believer refuses to show compassion and will not share what they have with others with whom they meet to worship?  How can they claim to be in God's family?  Have they ever received God’s love and allowed Him to motivate and enable their self-sacrifice?

Words are cheap but love is costly.  James, the half-brother of our Lord 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? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." (James 2:15-17).  The challenge is an everyday reality test for every believer.  As we choose to receive and give thanks for God’s love, He gives us the capacity to love His children.  That is the test of God’s love in us.