The Look of Love

June 13, 2019

If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:17-18

In 1967 Burt Bacharach had a hit song that was loved by many people and still shows up with great regularity on oldies favorites stations and other easy listening playlists:

The look of love is in your eyes, a look your smile can't disguise.
The look of love is saying so much more than just words could ever say.
And what my heart has heard, well it takes my breath away.

The song is about romantic love, but these words are an accurate description of the impact our intentional look at the needy world around us should have on us and the world.


  • If the love of God is in us, it changes what we see. Just as a lover doesn’t just simply see a person when he looks at the object of his love; he sees a person of great beauty no matter what. The love of God in us makes us see people who are precious to God the way God sees them when we look at the world.
  • We may think our thoughts are private, but our attitudes tell everything about our hearts. Our talk and conversation cannot disguise what is in our hearts.
  • Real love leads to action.
  • The actions of love are so powerful and transformative that it is breathtaking to the objects of that love.
  • Love is active and full of truth.


This is why Jesus said that people know we are His followers when we truly love others. Our love is attractive, compelling, and cannot be ignored. Our sermons and songs can be overlooked, but our intentional, compassionate, and sacrificial actions command their attention and response.

  • Honestly fill in the blank: When I see a needy person, the look of __________________ is in my eyes. (Disinterest, disgust, sorrow, compassion, ignorance . . . what?
  • Honestly pray: Jesus, help me see with great clarity where my actions and words are inconsistent. I want to love every person You love, the way You love. I want to see with Your eyes, feel with Your heart, and act with Your hands and feet. Tell me what to do and I will do it.”